Join us for our Diversity Film Series kickoff screening! Come see how civil rights laws we now take for granted were made, and the importance of electing great women to office. POLITICAL ANIMALS is the California story of the fight for LGBT rights by four female legislators, starting in 1994. Variety calls it, “Engrossing…white-hot political theater.”

Following the Piedmont screening, Ellie Schaffer, current leader of Emerge California, will talk about what it takes for women to win elections. Schaffer is a former Special Assistant to President Obama who was selected for the inaugural class of Obama’s Leadership Academy. In her current role leading Emerge CA, Schafer will share what Emerge is doing to “inspire women to run, and hone their skills to win.” 

Political Animals celebrates the legendary civil rights victories of the first four openly gay elected California state politicians – all women — Carole Migden, Sheila Kuehl, Jackie Goldberg, and Christine Kehoe.  It documents the tough struggles they endured and the compromises they made, while celebrating their pioneering success in the fight for LGBT rights.

Fierce and determined, these unforgettable women passed laws in the 1990s that paved the way for other states, such as the first anti-bullying law to protect gay students and the first legal domestic partnership registry. These laws were passed 20 years before the momentous 2015 Supreme Court decision that gave full marriage rights to all LGBT Americans.

Political Animals inspires us by showing how these courageous women, working together, changed history. It’s a great lesson on how laws are made and how important our lawmakers are. As we enter the midterm election season, this screening could not be more timely.

Wednesday, September 5

6:30 Doors Open

7:00 Screening

8:30 – 9 PM Discussion

Ellen Driscoll Playhouse

325 Highland Avenue

Piedmont, CA 94611

(near Oakland Ave)

 

Saturday, September 8

 3:00 PM Screening

4:30 – 5 PM Discussion

New Parkway Theater

474 24^th Street

Oakland, CA

(between Broadway & Telegraph)

See the film’s website at politicalanimalsdoc.com

Questions? Email Christy@diversityfilmseries.org

 

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