Finally Saw Milk

[iamjoy]

My husband and I finally saw Milk. It's surprising to think that in our lifetime in the United States of America US citizens were treated like this. I don't mean that everything is okay now since gays still don't have civil rights, but a generation ago it was even worse. In particular, the police harassment seemed so rampant. I like to think we've made progress, although it bothers me that we still have so far to go - a whole 40+ years since the Stonewall riots.

The other thing we were curious about (and they touched on it with Anne K. but not enough) is why we didn't see women involved with the gay rights movement. Certainly the hatred today that still exists against gays seems to be different for gay men than for lesbian women.

Didn't they also talk about a million gays marching? I've thought there should be a March for Civil Rights and we should try to get a million GLBT and friends to march on Washington and demonstrate on the mall. It would be nice if families were there to remind people that gays are parents and children and they have the right to live their lives as they truly are rather than pretending to be something they aren't.

Anyway, it was an interesting movie and I know it wasn't meant to be a gay movie, but it really made me think about the struggle for full civil rights in this country

[Skittles]

1. I remember 1978 very well

lots of us were simply unaware of the huge struggle - this was way before the internet, email, etc. - for example, I remember sometimes seeing Anita Bryant on TV and thinking what a hateful bitch she was but really I had no clue about her influence

[justgamma]

4. Me too. I remember reading about

the "twinkie" defense, but I didn't know about the back story.

Excellent movie.

[customerserviceguy]

2. It was a very powerful movie

One of the best I've ever seen at delivering a message wrapped up in an approachable story.

[sharesunited]

3. Charlie, Norman and Ethel.

How old will you be?

When?

On your birthday.

A hundred and three.

Miss Appley was ninety-seven in May. Isn't that amazing?

Yeah.

She died, you know.

No.

Yep, last Tuesday. We got a call, in case any mail comes up.

Gave ya a forwarding address for Miss Appley?

(Confused for a second, then Charlie gets the joke.)

(Enter Ethel)

What's so funny?

One of the lesbians expired.

Oh no! Which one, Charlie?

Miss Appley.

Oh, well, she had a good, full life.

Charlie said she was ninety-seven.

Ninety-seven! Isn't that wonderful!

Puts us all to shame, doesn't it? There's something to be said
for a ~deviant~ lifestyle.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. Just for the sake of accuracy

Let's point out that last month the cops in Texas raided a gay bar and beat people into the hospital. 2009. In much of the country, it is still perfectly legal to discriminate against GLBT people in employment and in housing.
Certainly progress has been made, but not to the same extent in all states.

[donco6]

6. That opening scene was very moving to me.

I really didn't comprehend all that went on until I saw that on film. I led a sheltered life in Kansas. Very, very sheltered.

[Huskerchub]

7. Cleve Jones, yes the same, is organizing...

A group of GLBT organizers are planning to gather in Washington DC on October 10 and 11, 2009 - with hope of attracting fair-minded citizens from across the country. The group wants to remind elected leaders that now is the time for full equal rights for GLBT people. The hope is to leave the event energized and empowered to do the work that needs to be done in hometowns across the nation.

NationalEqualityMarch.com will be updated as more information is available.

[TexasObserver]

8. Recommend

[libguy9560]

9. I've been dying to see it

Sounds good, judging by your comments.