The opening of March On is scheduled for January 30th at the New York City LGBT Center and on January 28th at the Proctor in Schenectady where it kicks off the capital region’s Q Fest and it may prove to be a game changer for the movement in favor of marriage equality in the United States as the film puts a human face on the inequalities of the institution of marriage and the trials and tribulations of same sex couples as they try to adopt to a country that has chosen, for the most part and perhaps just for now, to leave them out of the marriage equation.
There are many stars in the film two of whom, Michael Sabatino and Robert Voorheis, describe on camera the actions they must take prior to making a simple trip to the nation’s capital. They don’t have to remember to throw an extra pair of socks in their travel bag but a wide array of legal documents that provide them with equal marriage rights in the eyes of the law in the event for instance, god forbid, one should suffer a catastrophic health care issue where only those documents provide each with proxy rights over the other who may be incapacitated in this unfortunate circumstance should it arise.
The film manages to tug on the emotional chord of the viewer in many other ways as we follow Ami, Frances, Kerri, Erin, Omar, Zoe, Michael and Robert on their way to Washington for the Marriage Equality March. They come from all over the country and represent the broad spectrum of the LGBT community.
Each couple has their own story to tell and all converge on D.C. for the huge October 2009 marriage equality demonstration in the shadows of the great monuments and memorials to the nation’s history providing the backdrop to a stunning climax driving home the power of film to elicit emotional responses as it opens the heart to the inexcusable inequalities of the institution of marriage when it comes to same sex couples.
These aren’t wild eyed leftist out for another march. No, they are sober individuals with love in their heart and a strong belief in the conservative values of marriage and family in general. When once asked to wait for a better opportunity to push for marriage equality in New York an activist not featured in the film, Cathy Marino-Thomas, cried out strongly in anguish against such a delay. And it is that cry of anguish that leads you to realize that when someone has their own realization that they are deeply in love with someone they don’t want to wait to spend the rest of their life together.
The film also features Lt. Daniel Choi whose own desire for equality drove him from the military he so loved as marriage equality meets Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Lt. Choi is shown speaking to the attendees of the march declaring, “Of all those things that are worth fighting for love is worth fighting for.” Lady Gaga is also featured as she shouts out to President Obama, “Are you listening, are you listening.”
The film is directed by Laura McFerrin, who herself is gay, and is a finely crafted work of art. But the film is not about the filmmakers but those whose heartfelt message they portray on the silver screen, for it is not just a story of basic human rights but of human dignity.
Michael Sabatino and Robert Voorheis will offer a Q & A at both openings providing further insights into the daily dilemmas they face in a world that has yet to come to grip with the legal and emotional turmoil of marriage equality.
View the trailer at www.marchonmovie.com
For more details on marriage equality: http://www.meny.us/march-on
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