"It's not cause I sleep with women that the world is falling apart," says one of the female interviewees in Heather MacDonald's chilling and thought-provoking chronicle of Oregon's 1992 anti-gay initiative, known as ballot measure 9. Promulgated by the Oregon Citizen's Alliance (who called it "a simple battle between good and evil"), the measure's history and that of the campaign which descended into a shockingly vicious war on gays is told here in an even-handed manner, offering viewpoints from both sides. Virtually all of the propagandist staples against gay and lesbians are trotted out by the OCA, including the pronounced proclivity towards pedophilia in homosexual males (in fact, 99% of pedophiliac activity comes from the heterosexual population), and some other pretty off the wall stuff (the purportedly widespread habit of eating feces, for example). As the November election drew nearer, anti-gay violence increased throughout the state, resulting in at least two deaths in a case of arson. Although the measure was defeated by a 53-47 margin, it was terribly close, and the victory seemed, to many, more symbolic than actual (the OCA would later get the measure passed in 23 individual counties). A disturbing study of deeply ingrained prejudices, casual indifference, and the fundamental unconstitutionality of the far religious right's attack on the gay and lesbian community. Highly recommended. Aud: (C, P) (R. Pitman)
Ballot Measure 9
(1995) 72 min. $89.98. Fox Lorber Home Video (avail. from major distributors). Color cover. Vol. 11, Issue 3
Ballot Measure 9
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