"Keith
Wilson has produced an outstanding educational video about
the marriage equality movement. Starting with a rousing send-off
in San Francisco, he traveled and documented the journey by
bicycle across the U.S. of two grandmothers married to each
other in Canada in 2002 to raise awareness of and support
for marriage rights for gays and lesbians. Their travels across
the country bring them into direct contact with the communities
of support and opposition. Watching this journey and debates
along the way, students will be able to learn about and experience
the issues related to marriage equality from both sides.
This video has been shown in many universities to rousing
acclaim. Students listen, laugh, debate, and come away with
a fresh perspective on the complex issues related to marriage
equality.
I highly recommend this video for undergraduates at any college
or university. It fits well into the curriculum of sociology,
psychology, history, education and women’s studies classes.
It is a great stimulation for discussion.
-Jean Giles-Sims, Professor of Sociology, Texas Christian
University &
Researcher on grandmothers’ roles in society
When I first heard about the Lesbian
Grandmothers from Mars, I thought I’d been missing out
on a wonderful D-grade horror film. Little did I know these
two women were much, much cooler (and there ain’t a
lot in my world better than bad horror). The Lesbian Grandmothers
from Mars consist of two women, Carrie Ross-Stone and Elisia
Ross-Stone. Together they make up Rainbow Law, a firm dedicated
to providing advocacy, information and educational services
to the gay community.
In most places in this country, LGBT couples are not afforded
the same safety and rights given to heterosexual married couples,
a problem that has only grown worse after six years of the
current administration’s jihad against the rights of
homosexual couples. Like it or not, gay couples do live and
love each other in this country, and they often find it difficult
to find ways to protect their families, children and partners
in times of crisis, such as death, divorce and major medical
problems. Rainbow Law provides these couples with legal services
and advice during these times.
Carrie wears the lawyer hat in this partnership,
while Elisia fulfills paralegal duties. Their union is one
of both utility and love. Together with their family of three
children, two grandchildren (and two dogs), they have more
than 18 years experience in the area of LGBT relationship
and estate planning.
They are both so passionately committed
to this cause that a documentary, aptly named “Lesbian
Grandmothers from Mars,” was made about their 3,800
mile bike trip across the country to rally support for same-sex
marriage. This documentary follows them from San Francisco
to New York City as they advocate for the right to marry the
person they love. Through the bike trip, they simply wanted
to prove that LGBT couples are not “aliens,” they
say. They are not out to destroy “traditional families”
or ask for anything more than their equal civil marriage rights.
- Jackson Free Press
"[Lesbian
Grandmothers From Mars] dissects modern American misconceptions
about sexual orientation and the politics thereof, a vastly
more complex and contemplative film than the intergalactic
girl-on-girl sexcapade I would expect with such a title."
-
Dallas Observer
"Carrie
and Elisia dare to openly protest inequality and by doing
so they inspire others to follow."
- Liz Highleyman, Outlook News
"When
you meet the Rainbow Grannies and hear them speak you are forced
to reconsider tired-old stereotypes about what a lesbian couple
looks like, how they act and what they do."
- Zak Szymanski, Bay Area Reporter
"Because
they dare to make their voices heard, the Rainbow Grannies
are standing up for thousands of other gay men and lesbians
who live in fear of speaking up for themselves."
- Michael Aaron, Salt Lake Metro
"I appreciated [Carrie and Elisia's] knowledge about
the special challenges to gay and lesbian couples and the
extra measures that we need to take to protect ourselves against
unfair laws and disgruntled relatives. The lecture was a great
experience and well worth the time. I am so glad that you
are able to help us establish a legally-designated alternative
family!"
- Carolyn Gage, Lesbian Author and Playwright
"Powerful
and moving! What a great lecture! Today we learned that loving
is the same no matter who the couple is. Thanks for opening
our eyes and letting us see into your hearts."
- Annett and Andy
"Elisia and Carrie, Thank you thank you thank you
thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!!! It's wonderful
knowing there are women of passion and integrity who are telling
the other side of the story."
- Beka and Carol
