Director Reed Cowan’s heartfelt and disturbing documentary focuses on the events both prior to and after California’s ballot decision of 2008 to include the clause, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California,” in their constitution.   Even as a supporter and follower of gay rights, this film shocked and appalled me, leaving me hopelessly wondering how a group of individuals (no, I cannot quite bring myself to call them “people”) could spend so much time and so much money to destroy a simple celebration of love.

Filmmakers deliberately stress emotions similar to mine throughout this obviously pro-equality tale, which follows a gay couple from San Francisco as they briefly rejoice in marriage before their freedom is taken away on November 5, 2008.  Intermittent excerpts of a Mormon leader’s plea for support in fighting gay marriage haunt viewers as the film pushes through emotionally wrenching aspects of this hateful movement – torture, teen suicides, intolerant families, homelessness, isolation, and much more.

Most intriguing, and subsequently shocking, however, is the examination of one investigator’s copies of Mormon leader correspondence regarding the fight for “Yes on Prop 8” during the summer of 2008.  Speaking aloud to myself, I couldn’t resist ironically repeating the words, “Oh my god, oh my god,” with my jaw dropped as I witnessed the amounts of money families were willing (or rather being fearfully forced) to give to the movement, including one family of five who drained their children’s college savings to donate $50,000 to the “cause”.  In addition, for fear of a certain Mormon stigma, leaders skillfully and dishonestly disguised their work under a coalition more friendly to Americans – Catholic church-goers and common family men and women – in attempt to appear more general in all media relations, as well as to mask where the bulk of funding for Yes on 8 campaigns was coming from (so much for separation of church and state, ey?).

Though clearly taking a stance, the documentary examines all sides of the issue, interviewing those opposed to gay marriage (well, those who agreed to speak with them) as well as supporters.  I was also grateful for a specific explanation, while it still fails to justify hateful actions, of the reasoning behind Mormon opposition to gays in relation to their view of heaven.

Overall, Cowan’s work shines light on a serious issue – the civil rights fight of our generation – in a poignant and intelligent manner.   Educate yourself by witnessing this film (a Netflix instant play), and share the love.  Perhaps then you may prevent yourself or someone else from falling victim to the type of malicious propaganda that 52% of feeble Californians fell for in 2008.