Political Animals

— The Advocate

"The political has rarely seemed more personal than in (this) portrait of four lesbian politicians who were fighting for their LGBT constituents long before the marriage-equality debate came to the fore. The movie leaves you admiring its subjects for their resilience and, no less importantly, their rhetorical force."
— Los Angeles Times

"A vibrant tribute to four lesbian political activists. There are several eye-opening revelations contained in the film. The first is the reminder of how long it took for LGBT rights to be legally validated. It also is surprising to realize that the legislative pioneers were women rather than men."
— The Hollywood Reporter

"Engrossing... charts the long hard climb by California's first four 'out' state politicians, all lesbians, to pass a series of bills gradually raising LGBT rights to the levels of non-gay average citizens. It may appear to many American that same-sex marriage and other gay rights issues 'suddenly' became a matter of ubiquitous public debate and legal reality. But the groundwork for such progress ... was laid by years, even decades of grunt work by on-the-ground activists and legislators gradually chipping away at resistance."
— Variety

"An inspiring portrait of four defiant women who refused to let hatred and homophobia stop them from making history."
— Jenn Wilson, LA Film Festival

"Giving credit to these overlooked leaders, this film inspires activists to be true 'political animals' who fight until the battle for all human rights is won...For LGBTQ activists, this film is a must-see as it gives an idea of how arduous the struggle for LGBT rights was and continues to be in the United States."
— Campus Pride

"Truly inspirational filmmaking...Political Animals feels like an important historical document in the making...As well as being an essential watch for all LGBT people, the film is also one of the most essential feminist films in recent memory...Important, essential viewing."
— Gay Essential

"An important historical contextualization of the groundbreaking legislative work done in the 1990s by four women — work that paved the way for the LGBT rights that the country enjoys today."
— MovieMaker Magazine

"Political Animals does what few documentaries of its kind are able to: it inspires students whose focus is equity and social justice, while providing them actionable examples of how to realize that inspiration into tangible change. As an educator, I am able to point to the incredible courage and determination on display in Political Animals and say, 'you, too, can do this!' "
— Christopher J. Jorgenson, Director, Women's & LGBTQ Resource Center, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

"An outstanding teaching tool...Political Animals is a ground breaking documentary that illuminates the courage, tenacity and strength of women politicians who were at the forefront of the LGBT rights movement. More over, the film provides an unparalleled view into the complicated and often tenuous political process through which laws are developed, introduced, and passed."
— Janet Jacobs, Professor of Women and Gender Studies, University of Colorado

“Highly Recommended. Engrossing and enjoyable...The combination of the political and personal throughout the film makes its story compelling and relevant to all viewers, whether their interest is political, feminist, or LGBT+ oriented.”
— Educational Media Reviews Online

WINNER
San Diego International Film Festival, Jury Award, Best Documentary
LA Film Festival, Audience Award, Best Documentary
LA Film Festival, Jury Award, Best Documentary
Provincetown International Film Festival, Audience Award, Documentary Competition