NEWFANE — The documentary “Political Animals,” follows the story of four remarkable lesbians in the California State Assembly whose work for equal rights, particularly for those of gays and lesbians, comprises the twists and turns and hard-won progress against such odds as would leave most of us in despair.
The film begins with an obvious but perennial truth: “It's so easy looking back to take the progress for granted.”
And, sadly, we do.
“Political Animals,” directed by Jonah Markowitz and Tracy Ware, is an eye-opening and well-made film about what was, in fact, necessary to get where we are today. It follows the efforts to create and pass certain bills in the California State Assembly and, later, the State Senate, which included:
• The Dignity for All Students Act, to protect public school students from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
• The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act that defined marriage as a civil contract between two persons.
• Senate Bill 1234, an omnibus act intended to protect Californians from hate crimes.
* * *
The documentary avoids sinking into a boring slog through embattled bills. The first reason? Sheila Kuehl and Carole Migden, then later, Jackie Goldberg and Christine Kehoe, the first openly lesbian members of the California State Assembly. The film chronicles their political journey starting in 1991. (That's right, 1991, not the '70s.)
I was drawn in immediately by their intelligence and negotiating skills, which ultimately proved to be the secret to their success. They understood how lasting progress is really made, the combination of tireless advocacy for civil rights, the importance of planting the seed they know will not germinate until later, and calling upon forbearance as needed.
As in our current political debates, these women went high when others went low, and they did so with outspokenness and compassion.
Most importantly, they knew that change occurs most rapidly when social support meets legislative change, and this film proves the point very well.
* * *
Threats against straight allies are described, as is the women's intentional means to enable voters to carry the day, especially those who could not be visibly politically active. It was a pleasant surprise for me to learn that these first legislative warriors were all women. The film suggests that their background in the women's movement of the '60s and '70s educated them in the best ways to effect real change in the political arena.
Another riveting aspect is the absolute outrageousness of the arguments used against the bills that they presented. Not only do the four have to deal with the usual horrid and ignorant arguments for discrimination, but they also have to take on the might of Christianity used to justify the “abomination” that is the gay expression of love. The clear-headed rebuttal by Carol Muehl is the best I've heard.
The third reason for the film's effectiveness: it's well made and has been picking up awards in film festivals in locations like Los Angeles, Provincetown, and San Diego.
The soundtrack is exciting; the women are human, vulnerable, and tough; and the path to liberation plays out like an exciting courtroom drama. The political becomes personal, and the friendship of the four is revealed as a support base through thick and thin. You will recognize many key players, including Supervisor Harvey Milk, Mayor Dianne Feinstein, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
The film is also a call to activism presented by these accomplished veterans who have been through the decades of human-rights advocacy and have emerged victorious. They do not rest on their laurels, and they do not expect others to be complacent.
The film features footage of President Obama's announcement of the Supreme Court's decision to validate marriage equality on June 26, 2015, a milestone that leaves little doubt of the extent to which the four women profiled in “Political Animals” helped pave the way.