Y’all know Ta loves any excuse to participate in some drama an’ ball her eyes out. A wedding is one of the perfect excuses … AND Ah get to bring out all mah favorite wigs an’ dresses. Many of Ta’s friends have tied the knot in commitment ceremonies – some of which top Princess Diana’s wedding to Prick Charles – but, unfortunately, such ceremonies mean nothing in the greater context of Life in the United States. Committed or not, a gay or lesbian couple’s life can be torn asunder with the slightest of efforts.

Stephanie Higgins’ “The Gay Marriage Thing” makes this sad state of affairs more intimate and personal than anything Ta has seen. Her documentary (which doesn’t feel like one) presents the politics, the piety, and the people embroiled in and affected by the heated debate over same-sex marriage in history-making Massachusetts. Amidst the chaos of legislators, church leaders, and protesters, one couple’s quiet story puts a human face on the social struggle of our time.

We get a little peek into the lives of Lorre and Gayle and their two great-aunts (sisters who’d lived together their entire 80+ years) whom they live with and are caregivers for. With that, the first few moments of “The Gay Marriage Thing” paint a picture of what it means to be a family. Gayle and Lorre, thirtysomething college sweethearts who marked their 15th anniversary a year after the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled a ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, form the heart of this documentary scrapbook.

“The Gay Marriage Thing” captures all of the voices that swirl in the air around Gayle and Lorre as they approach May 17, 2004, the first date same-sex couples could file for marriage licenses in Massachusetts; from the protests outside the Massachusetts State House, to the churches of the Reverends Rich Wiesenbach and Carlton Smith, to the historic chambers echoing State Representative Kathi-Anne Reinstein’s perspective.

The emotional and spiritual toll this issue puts upon all parties is apparent in the everyday angst and anticipation of Lorre and Gayle’s own wedding.

“The Gay Marriage Thing” is not some historical commentary on gay rights in the United States. It is instead a small story with big implications. By focusing on one suburban couple and the multitude of events that directly affect that couple’s otherwise average life, “The Gay Marriage Thing” strives to show a different side of this issue than documentaries or television newscasts have thus far.

With protesters and their colorful signs serving as a Greek chorus, and an array of opinions from church, state, and everyone in between, this is the film that family members can finally watch together. “The Gay Marriage Thing” is the documentary that opens the dialogue, fully expecting the audience to continue it.

“My hope is that this film will artistically promote discussion over shouting, communication over violence. If THE GAY MARRIAGE THING does nothing more than open a dialogue between two family members, co-workers or friends on opposite sides of this debate, then I have done my job.” ~ Stephanie Higgins, Director

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Tallulah Givehead is a Fabulous drag queen living in Portland, Oregon (Lord only knows why!) writing reviews of gay film by day and tearing up the stage by night. You can read her reviews here as well as at her blog, QUEER VUE MIRROR.

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