US
2006
90 minutes
Director: Mike Roth & John Henning

FAMILY DAY EVENT - Panel Discussion to follow
(Filmmaker, ACLU, Marriage Equality)

On November 18, 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled in favor of a same-sex couple’s right to marry, and from that day forward gay rights activists worked ceaselessly to protect the ruling from right-wing attacks. Saving Marriage captures the excitement and suspense of one battle in this long and ongoing war: an attempt to amend the state constitution to override the court’s decision. From mass demonstrations to lastminute lobbying phone calls to closely fought election campaigns, the battle unfolded all over the state for more than two years.

Filmmaker Mike Roth follows events as they unfold, interviewing lawyers, lobbyists and organizers, as well as some of the many gay couples who took advantage of the court’s ruling even as state legislators were fighting over the constitutional amendment. With clarity and style, the film lays out each skirmish, even using graphics to explain Massachusetts’ convoluted method for amending its constitution. As cathartic and satisfying as any wedding (it will wring tears from you, even when you know how it ends), the film is particularly fascinating when it goes behind the scenes to show the nitty-gritty details essential to any political struggle, as volunteers go door to door and letterwriting and phone campaigns are mounted to convince legislators to change their minds. Change happens — and this film shows us how.