“Political Animals” A Diversity Series Documentary & Talk | Oakland

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The Appreciating Diversity Film Series kicks off their new season with the inspiring and timely Political Animals, by Jonah Markowitz and Tracy Wares.

“Political Animals” A Diversity Series Documentary & Talk
– Wednesday, September 5, 2018 | Reception at 6:30 pm (7 pm Film Screening)
The Ellen Driscoll Playhouse, 325 Highland Ave. (near Oakland Ave.)Piedmont
– Saturday, September 8, 2018 | 3 pm (Film Screening)
The New Parkway, 474 24th Street (near Telegraph) Oakland
FREE (Bring cash for food and drinks purchase)

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.

Following the screenings, representatives of Northern California Emerge will talk about what it takes to run for office. Wednesday’s screening will feature Emerge’s Ellie Schaffer, 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 help women prepare to be great candidates.

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.