One Wedding and a Revolution: The Day San Francisco City Hall Said I Do 2004
Distributed by New Day Films, 190 Route 17M, P.O. Box 1084, Harriman, NY 10926; 888-367-9154 or 845-774-7051
Produced by Debra Chasnoff
Directed by Debra Chasnoff
VHS, color, 19 min.
College - Adult
Gay and Lesbian Studies, History
Date Entered: 02/11/2005
Reviewed by Dawn Eckenrode, Reference and Instruction Librarian, Daniel A. Reed Library, State University of New York College at FredoniaOn February 12, 2004 the first same-sex marriage took place between Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, prominent lesbian rights activists, in San Francisco, CA. Invited to film the event one hour before the wedding was about to begin, filmmaker, Debra Chasnoff, effectively captures the atmosphere of this highly emotional and politically significant ceremony. In addition to the footage of this historic occasion, this short documentary contains commentary by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newson; the mayor’s policy director, Joyce Newstat; city assessor, Mabel Teng; and the executive director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Kate Kendell, on the events leading up to the first marriages.
Due to a press embargo that kept TV crews from filming the event, this film provides unique, eye-witness documentation of this important moment in U.S. history, and the interviews with city officials provide genuine insight into the rationale behind Mayor Newsom’s contentious decision. This film succeeds at attaching human faces to an issue that is most commonly viewed through the lens of political rhetoric.
See also EMRO review of No Secret Anymore: The Times of Del Lyon and Phyllis Martin