The Freedom to Marry

The Freedom to Marry is a 2016 American documentary film. Directed by Eddie Rosenstein and produced by Jenni Olson, The Freedom to Marry depicts the historical journey of the marriage equality movement in the United States. The documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at this pivotal social change that culminated in the landmark Supreme Court case of Obergefell v. Hodges, which extended same-sex marriage to all 50 U.S. states.

The Freedom to Marry stars a cadre of notable, real-life figures that spearheaded the movement, among them Evan Wolfson, Mary Bonauto, and April DeBoer.

Evan Wolfson, a Harvard-educated lawyer, founded Freedom to Marry, an advocacy group that played a significant role in the marriage equality movement. Recognized for his contributions to the struggle for equality, he is widely dubbed the architect of same-sex marriage in the US, and the film allows viewers a unique, intimate insight into his passion, strategies, and tireless work that led to national recognition of marriage equality.

Mary Bonauto is a civil rights lawyer who has dedicated her career to advancing the rights of the LGBT community. Bonauto has argued crucial cases before the Supreme Court, and her work has been instrumental in major legal victories for gay rights. Known for her compelling arguments, strategic acumen, and unwavering commitment to equality, Bonauto's work is often compared to that of Thurgood Marshall, a civil rights leader who fought racial discrimination.

April DeBoer, one of the key plaintiffs in the pivotal Supreme Court case of Obergefell v. Hodges, is also spotlighted in the film. DeBoer, along with her partner Jayne Rowse, challenged Michigan's ban on adoption by same-sex couples, a case that ultimately got folded into the broader issue of gay marriage. Through the story of Deboer and Rowse, the film personalizes the impacts of the struggle for marriage equality, giving it a human face.

The Freedom to Marry is not just about the process and the struggle, but it also grants access to the individuals who fought on the rights' frontlines. Through a collection of personal interviews, archival footage, and real-time field coverage, the film maps out the strategic blueprint of this groundbreaking civil rights struggle and the steadfast campaigners who led the charge.

The film starts by illustrating the early days of the marriage equality movement when the concept of same-sex marriage was widely ridiculed and vastly opposed. It goes on to depict the relentless work carried out by activists, lawyers, and plaintiffs who fought against resonating prejudice and heinous discriminatory laws to reshape public opinion and whip up legislative change.

From early defeats to dramatic victories, the documentary traces how a marginal, offbeat idea deemed "a gay fantasy" gradually evolved into a cause embraced by mainstream society. It highlights the strategic battles waged in courtrooms and society, from grassroots advocacy, public education campaigns, to formulating legal strategies and creating a steady stream of litigation and public engagement that lead to a paradigm shift in both legal and public opinion.

The film uses the campaign for marriage equality as a means of studying social movements in general. It showcases how activists can bring about social change in the face of immense opposition and hostility by combining strategic litigation, mobilization of public opinion, and overt political engagement.

Unlike many other social issue documentaries, The Freedom to Marry manages to present an intricate, dense legal and political issue in an accessible and engaging way. It focuses on the human component of the story, the personal stakes involved, and the raw emotions that were part and parcel of this formidable civil rights fight.

The Freedom to Marry thus offers an enthralling narrative of one of the most transformative civil rights struggles of our times. It’s an intimate portrait of the people who turned the inconceivable into the inevitable, and a master class on how to effect social change. The stories it highlights resonate with emotions — frustration, despair, excitement, and ultimately, joy, making it a must-watch not only for those interested in civil rights, legal strategies, and social movements but for anyone who believes in the power of perseverance and the human capacity for change.