Boston Spirit Magazine

The Gay Marriage Thing
December 2006

THE GAY MARRIAGE THING, written and directed by Stephanie Higgins, is well worth toasting now and throughout the New Year. The film succeeds in bringing a new voice to the chorus of "gay marriage" by showing that there's nothing gay except the happiness that comes from loving someone and wanting to commit to sharing your life with them. The story centers around Lorre and Gayle, 30-something-year-olds who met and fell in love in college, who at the film's opening are the self-appointed caretakers of maiden aunts. By making these two likeable women the center of this cinematic scrapbook, Higgins does more to empower the need for equal marriage opportunity than you can imagine. Skipping commentary from "the experts," this film opts to showcase those who count - real people. 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. It is, as Higgins says, a small story with big implications. And she's absolutley right. THE GAY MARRIAGE THING is now available on DVD through Amazon CreateSpace ($17.99).