Educational Media Reviews Online

On February 12th, 2004, Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin became the first couple to obtain a marriage license in the recent spate of gay marriages in San Francisco. In the wake of this event, one couldn't imagine a more timely addition to the Frameline catalog than Joan E. Biren's (JEB's) award-winning documentary No Secret Anymore: The Times of Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon (2003). No Secret Anymore chronicles the relationship between Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin as well as their numerous contributions as activist leaders of the lesbian and women's rights movements.

JEB captures both the lighthearted playfulness and the urgent passion of her two subjects as they seek to redefine the cultural and political acceptance of a group that has been categorized by many as "illegal, immoral, and sick". She does this by skillfully interweaving interviews of Phyllis and Del (as well as fellow activists, friends and family, and political and religious leaders) with a variety of personal and public images. Some relate to the lives of her subjects (personal photos and video outtakes). Others relate to the cultural climate from which the women's drive for social change undoubtedly rose (education videos proclaiming heterosexual marriage as "the ultimate and finest expression" of "sex urges" and pulp novels with titles such as The Abnormal Ones and We Walk Alone).

Early in the film, JEB establishes the feelings of self-doubt and loneliness experienced by many young women coming to terms with their lesbian sexuality in the mid-50s. Phyllis and Del began their fight against the forces of isolation by founding a "secret social club" called the Daughters of Bilitis in 1955. Their activist interests soon drove them to branch out into the public arena, and the film traces their multi-faceted and spirited foray into the lesbian civil rights movement.

While the film's primary aim is to celebrate the many personal contributions Phyllis and Del have made in the area of lesbian civil rights, it does an excellent job of portraying the complexities of the movement as well. Del asserts, "We are not 'single issue people'." Indeed, JEB presents a mosaic of social concerns that the women have worked on over the years: domestic abuse, sex education, black civil rights, anti-war, and family issues, to name a few. Also included in the discussion are obstacles that the lesbian civil rights movement faced from groups that may seem unlikely opponents: many women's rights advocates and organizers such as NOW's Betty Friedan, and communities of gay men, both of which are initially portrayed as hostile or unconcerned with issues facing lesbians.

This video would be a strong addition to any public, high school, or academic library seeking to expand their collections in the areas of civil rights, women's studies, or GLBT culture. In light of the current debate regarding gay marriage taking place across the country, this film would serve as a great tool to facilitate discussion. No Secret Anymore is appropriate for both those with little knowledge of the lesbian civil rights movement who wish to learn more about the subject and for those well-versed in the history of the movement who want to know more about the trailblazing women who helped bring issues facing lesbians out of the closet and into mainstream consciousness. Highly Recommended

Awards

• Audience Award - Best Documentary - Provincetown International Film Festival
• Audience Award - Best Documentary - Mardi Gras Film Festival (Sydney)
• Jury Award - Special Mention - Turin International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
• Audience Award - Best Documentary - Connecticut Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
• Jury Award - Best Documentary - North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
• Audience Award - Best Documentary - Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
• Audience Award - Best Documentary - Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival
• Audience Award - Best Documentary - Reel Affirmations (Washington D.C.)
• Audience Award - Best Documentary - Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival

See also EMRO review of One Wedding and a Revolution: The Day San Francisco City Hall Said I Do.