Pursuit of Equality

Friday, September 16
Tower Theatre - 5:30 p.m.
$5 - buy tickets
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Scheduled to Appear: Geoff Callan, Mike Shaw

"Near-limitless access to San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom's office -- one of the filmmakers is his brother-in-law -- makes "Pursuit of Equality" a valuable behind-the-scenes chronicle of what may become a seminal U.S. historical moment, when the young politico decided to issue same-sex marriage licenses last year." - Dennis Harvey, VARIETY.COM

The year 2004 may have produced some of the greatest aftershocks in San Francisco since perhaps the devastating earthquake of 1906 when a completely different force of nature was unleashed at City Hall. Just 34 days into his new job,Mayor Gavin Newsom came to the conclusion that California law restricting marriage to between a man and a woman only was unconstitutional and discriminatory.

As many Fresno couples know, the rest is ongoing history. From the first touching ceremony between life partners of 51 years Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon to the flurry of 'spouse-for-life' declarations that followed, directors Geoff Callan and Mike Shaw were given access to the process that resulted from the Mayor's groundbreaking point of view.

With cameras sitting in the Mayor's office, and from the perspective of the Honorable Mayor Newsom, this film follows the rollercoaster process as the first volley is waged against the constitutional question of marriage equality and passions ignite this civil rights battle right to the heart of the nation.

Directed by Geoff Callan and Mike Shaw
2005, USA, video, 75 minutes
film website

Screening Sponsor: United Security Bank and J. Stanley Teixeira
Day Sponsor: Engelmann Cellars