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“Political Animals” gives four lesbian politicians the well-deserved spotlight

I can’t believe we’re already closing in on the one-year anniversary of the legalization of same-sex marriage in America. I still remember the euphoria that surrounded that day and the days that followed. Of course, there’s still more to do, like ensuring the Equality Act gets passed, but this historic anniversary lends itself to reflection. Who, exactly, made this possible? Each state has its own list with people from all walks of life and career fields on it, but in California, you would be remiss to not mention out politicians Sheila Kuehl, Carole Migden, Christine Kehoe and Jackie Goldberg. Filmmakers Jonah Markowitz and Tracy Wares knew that and dedicated a whole documentary to them: Political Animals.

California State Senator Christine Kehoe, Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, American Politician Jackie Goldberg and California State Senator Carole MigdenPhoto by Tommaso Boddi/WireImage

Something must have been in the water in California in the mid-’90s and early 2000s because it was during this time that the state’s first openly gay representatives were elected, and they were all women. Sheila Kuehl was the first, being elected to the California State Assembly in 1994 and serving until 2000 before joining the California State Senate and serving until 2008. She wasn’t alone for long, as Carole Migden was part of the Assembly from ’96 (she jokes in the film that Sheila was the first lesbian but, “I was the first femme.”) until 2002 before joining the Senate from 2004 to 2008. Two ‘newbies’ would then join the Assembly in 2000: Jackie Goldberg (State Assembly: 2000-06) and Christine Kehoe (State Assembly: 2000-04; State Senate: 2004-12).

So why four lesbians as opposed to, for example, four gay men? Well, that comes down to a combination of factors. First, we need to recognize and celebrate the fact that you could be out in politics and win, even if it did take until the ’90s. That’s because the gay rights movement was making itself heard and making it safe to talk about gay issues. Movements, of course, weren’t a new thing for politically conscious women, including many lesbians who had been involved in the feminist movement, among others. That experience would prove to be very helpful later on for all four of the women.

Another point that has to be mentioned is that many gay male leaders of the time had died as a result of the AIDS crisis. By contrast, lesbians seemed less threatening than these gay men and were often underestimated because they were women. What truly mattered, however, was that gay women now held political power. In California, they would use that power to take up the issues of the gay community in the legislature.

All of this is not to say that there was nothing particularly special about these four women. Their constituents certainly thought so, and their CVs more than prove them right.

Sheila is a former child actress, beloved for her role on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, which she says she was fired from for being gay. She mentions in the film that voters had a hard time separating the affection they had for her character from the intolerance they had over her sexuality. Ultimately, good sense prevailed. After all, she was also a Harvard Law grad and a practicing attorney with an impressive background in domestic violence cases.

For her part, Carole has been involved in the LGBT movement in California for over 30 years. Having met, worked with and been inspired by Harvey Milk, she served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1991 to 1996, previously having chaired the San Francisco Democratic Party from 1984-90.

Jackie Goldberg served on the Los Angeles City Council (the first open lesbian to do so) from 1994 to 2000. Before this, she worked as a teacher for over 18 years and served on, and was later president of, the Los Angeles School Board.

Before entering state politics, Christine served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 to 2000 and in doing so became the city’s first openly gay elected official. Prior to this, she was known for her work in AIDS activism. Coming from a background of city politics, both she and Jackie note in the film that they were thrown by the partisan nature of state politics.

Indeed, some of the statements made by their Republican colleagues during this time will floor you, even by today’s standards. The documentary gives you a front row seat to a show of political theater that includes whipping out Bible passages and even comparing lesbians to cattle.

What the Republicans (and even some fellow Democrats) really took exception to were two bills: Sheila’s anti-bullying measure protecting gay and perceived to be gay students, and Carole’s domestic partnership registry. The film looks closely at the debate around these two bills and how they eventually came to pass.

Jackie and Christine joined the Assembly just after these bills were passed. Together, all four women were founding members of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus in 2002.

They all put their names to other bills as well, most of which were not specific to the gay community. But the most impassioned speeches shown in the movie undoubtedly have to do with personal politics. And it did get personal. So much so that the women “licked their wounds” in private together. Yet they always stood their ground on the job.

You can tell these women truly cared and still do care about each other. The film sees them come together again at Jackie’s home, where it’s obvious they’re overjoyed to reminisce about old times. And new times. Yes, all these years later they’re still a ways away from thinking about retirement.

Even so, they’re long overdue some widespread recognition. In a modest moment in the movie, Sheila shares that she sees herself and the rest as “willing tools” and not “pioneers.” I would have to disagree, and I can’t see how anyone else who watches this film can come to any other conclusion. Thank you, Sheila, Carole, Christine and Jackie.

Political Animals plays at the Provincetown International Film Festival on June 16 and 17, at Frameline in San Francisco on June 19 and 20, and at the CinemaQ Film Festival in Denver on July 24. Visit the movie’s Facebook page for news on future screenings.

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