"The State of a Marriage" Premiere and Panel discussion

Description

The screening of "The State of Marriage" directed by Jeff Kaufman, followed by Q&A with the following Panelists: Bennett Law (Moderator), Susan Murray, Shap Smith, Bill Lippert, Beth Robinson, Sherry Corbin, Jeff Kaufman -Producer/Director, and Marcia Ross -Producer.THE STATE OF MARRIAGE is the untold story of how Vermont attorneys Beth Robinson and Susan Murray formed Vermont Freedom to Marry, partnered with legal pioneer Mary Bonauto of Gay & Lesbian Advocates, and Defenders (GLAD), and led a determined group of activists in a two-decade long struggle for marriage equality in Vermont that built the foundation for the entire national movement. Despite fierce opposition, Vermont became the first state to grant same sex couples legal recognition through a groundbreaking 1999 State Supreme Court decision, Civil Unions in 2000, and a legislative victory for marriage equality in 2009 –– overruling the governor’s veto. The film features Freedom to Marry founder Evan Wolfson, civil rights legend Rep. John Lewis, and Tony-winning playwright Terrence McNally, plus Gov. Peter Shumlin, House Speaker Shap Smith, former Gov. Howard Dean, former Rep. Marion Milne (Scott Milne’s mother), House Judiciary Chair Rep. Bill Lippert, and others.

The film was one of Entertainment Weekly’s “Top 20 Pop Culture Moments in Hollywood's Road To Marriage Equality.” The Hollywood Reporter said, “THE STATE OF MARRIAGE is an indispensable addition to the history of the marriage equality movement. This is a fascinating story and a suspenseful nail-biter right up to the feel good ending.” Here is the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efPjdjozlAQ   For more info visit: http://www.pridecentervt.org or http://www.mainstreetlanding.com/