About the Film

Why We Need a Documentary About the Gay Rights Movement 

The purpose of this film is to place in the historical record the achievements of a generation of activists who won civil and human rights for LGBT people.

A Watershed Moment in Greenwich Village

After the Stonewall uprising against police harassment and violence in 1969, national LGBT organizations were established in Washington, DC and in other major urban centers, enabling nationwide communication among activists. Fueled by Stonewall and ignited in 1977 by Anita Bryant’s “Save Our Children” campaign, LGBT communities began to grow more organized and develop political clout.

National conferences helped bring support, resilience, and understanding of the issues to a wider LGBT audience, fueling more cohesive civil rights strategies across the nation.

The documentary will place into the historical record stories from the Midwest and South in regard to both the political advances and setbacks of the era. Parallel and interwoven stories of HIV/AIDS are told through those who experienced and survived these tumultuous years.

The cities included are guided by the producer’s own journey -- from New Orleans (1983) to Dallas, Texas (1993), Wichita Kansas (1995) and finally to Cleveland OH (2002 – present day).

LGBT youth suicide was at an astounding level (35 percent of all teen suicides reported). Many young LGBT people were migrating to larger cities in search of more progressive communities, adding to the homeless youth problem. LGBT youth began to speak out about their issues and roles in the movement.

The alarming increase in AIDS cases in the gay male community and the lack of support or even acknowledgment at any level, galvanized the LGBT movement across the country. The community could look only to itself for help. Lesbians began to gain visibility and leadership positions, as men fell victim to AIDS or migrated to positions in various AIDS organizations.

Anti-Discrimination Language and Civil Rights Ordinances were introduced successfully in many cities and towns including New Orleans LA, and Dallas TX, and Wichita KS. A backlash against this progress arose, and, using the lack of such protection federally, other states introduced anti-gay ordinances that would specifically exclude the LGBT community. Anti-gay discrimination on every level increased. One example is the restaurant chain Cracker Barrel that fired all employees they perceived to be LGBT in Georgia. This resulted in an organized protest that eventually saw Cracker Barrel back down but not before a long fight.

Armageddon or the Culture Wars

The more ground the movement gained and the more visible gay people became, the more virulent the push-back from the religious right. Anti-gay violence increased, particularly as AIDS became prevalent in gay male communities across the country.

The U.S. military policy of not allowing LGBT people to serve came under fire. After promising a complete removal of this ban during his election campaign, President Bill Clinton enacted the infamous “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) compromise. This prompted many protests around the country. His campaign advisor, David Mixner, a gay man was a strong proponent of the full acceptance of gays that Clinton promised on the campaign trail.

The community at the grass roots level began to demand the right to marry, and while this was not a priority for national organizations, the movement began to take off. Following the statewide decision to allow civil unions in Hawaii in 1991, the fight was on.  The backlash gained momentum, and The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), enacted in 1996, was an attempt to block legalization of same-sex marriage at the federal level. This was ultimately a state decision and forced the discussion to a public vote, into the courts, and finally to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

What the Film Covers

The documentary looks at the rise of the LGBT Movement during the 1980s and 1990s.

Using archival video footage, the film highlights the various political and social issues tackled by local and national gay advocacy organizations. While documentaries currently exist on LGBT issues, few cover the LGBT movement as a whole during this era.

The documentary focuses on strong leaders of the times in both major U.S. cities and small towns. The documentary explores the effect of the political, social, and religious climate on middle America in the light of LGBT social and political activism that arose throughout the country. 

Scenes from a Movement

The documentary begins with a short historical perspective on the growth of a national network that was a catalyst for a national LGBT movement.The documentary is built around the insightful rhetoric of LGBT political and social leaders, presenters, entertainers, and comedians who, as the movement grew, were able to reach a wider LGBT audience through national conferences and a growing market for LGBT-specific entertainment.

Highlights include the controversial NEA funding of Robert Mapplethorpe, the inclusion of an LGBT contingent in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade, Project 10 and the rage against LGBT teachers, The Cracker Barrel restaurant firings, increasing homelessness among LGBT youth, the fight against AIDS by ACT-UP, and distinctive efforts for inclusion through civil ordinances and “right to marry” initiatives.

The LGBT community is made up of people from every sector of the general population. The film illuminates efforts to come together and to work against racism and discrimination, promoting an understanding of the importance of other movements for social justice underway at the time.

The annual Creating Change conference, hosted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) chronicles progress and setbacks at the national and state level. The National Gay and Lesbian Health Foundation conference highlights the many social issues involved. Footage from the National Commission on AIDS adds a federal government perspective. Other footage includes gay community life in New Orleans, Louisiana; Dallas Texas; and Wichita, Kansas.  New footage will include people, events, and stories from Cleveland Ohio.

 Contemporary interviews with key players in the movement chronicle the struggle for gay rights from their unique perspectives.

The documentary concludes with what things have changed examines what remains, and how the legacy left to the next generation still needs protecting.