1 I was close to my grandparents. I grew up listening to their stories of World War I, watching the German dirigibles being shot down over London, and, of course, my mother's stories of the Depression and World War II, how each generation has its own epic confrontations that it must face ` the Black Civil Rights Movement, the women's movement, Vietnam. ARCHIVE: War protestors gathered for a dramatic and unprecedented appeal to the US government to end the war in Vietnam. I knew what I was called to do, not as an individual ` as part of my generation. TEN YEARS AFTER: # I'd love to change the world,... # but I don't know what to do. But over half of us are gone now. # So I'll leave it up to you... You know, from the beginning of the epidemic, our fear was that everything we'd worked for would just be swept away ` our neighbourhoods, the cultural caldrons,... # Population keeps on breeding... ...the freedoms we built and won. And those who truly hate us... Gay used to be a beautiful word. But it has been corrupted. I believe in hell. I believe these fags are going to hell. ...are tying young men to fences in Wyoming and cracking their skulls open, with George W Bush threatening constitutional amendments against our families. Today I call up on the Congress to promptly pass an amendment to our constitution defining and protecting marriage as a union of a man and woman. I could go to my grave a criminal again. # But I don't know what to do... When did you know? Know what? When did you know you had to rise up and fight back? Oh, pay attention. It wasn't just me who heard the call ` it was all of us. # Oh, yeah... Walkout on Wednesday at 2 o'clock to end the war. Ladies, walkout on Wednesday at 2 o'clock. ARCHIVE: ...combined efforts of students who spent the day passing out anti-war leaflets. Walkout Wednesday. End the war. At dozens of meetings in parks and churches, at colleges and universities, the same demands have been spoken, sung and chanted all through the day ` 'End the war, bring them home.' Hey. Walkout Wednesday at 2 o'clock. End the war. (TEN YEARS AFTER'S 'I'D LOVE TO CHANGE THE WORLD' CONTINUES) (ROCK GUITAR SOLO) # I'd love to change the world,... # but I don't know what to do,... # so I give it up to you,... # oh. # (ROCK MUSIC FADES) (TENSE MUSIC) (ALARM BLARES) General quarters, general quarters. All hands, man your battle stations. Attention, positions throughout the ship. Up and forward, starboard side. We're not here to hit the enemy; we're here to send as much mother-lovin' steel into that hellhole to get those bastards to fire back at my white ass. Understood? Aye, Captain. Get me a station. Aft-gun mount, report? Ready. Loaded, confirmed. (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) Whoa! Bridge, aft-gun mount armed and ready. Fire! They fire back at us, they give away their location, and we call in an air strike. Copy. Return fire, sir. 1-5-0. Well, let's get their address and mail them love letters, sailor. (JETS WHOOSH) (INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS) (EXPLOSIONS POP AND RUMBLE) (JETS WHOOSH) Nothing as beautiful as the rocket's red glare, huh, Smith? (TEN YEARS AFTER'S 'I'D LOVE TO CHANGE THE WORLD') # I'd love to change the world, # but I don't know what to do. (CHILDREN SHOUT) Candy! # Life is funny. Skies are sunny. # Bees make honey. Who needs money? # Monopoly. # (CHUCKLES) You like it? I won't need it in Boston. It'll be odd working with NOW after seeing what women face here. (DOG BARKS) The Equal Rights Amendment will pass for women back home. And then things like that, like ERA, they'll spread to places like this. The arc of history is long, but bends towards` ...bends towards justice. (CHUCKLES) Will you write to me? I mean,... sure. I'm not gonna see you again, am I? I'll write. There are rights for women we need to fight for now. That's all I can carry. I can't carry this, too. (AEROPLANE ENGINE HUMS) # Why the struggle? Why the strain? Why make trouble? Why make scenes? Why go against the grain? Bon voyage! # Why swim upstream? Bon voyage, Roma! # It ain't, it ain't, it ain't no use ` you're bound, you're bound, you're bound to lose. # What's done, what's done, what's done is done. That's the way the river runs. # So why get wet? Why break a sweat? # Why waste your precious breath? # Why beat your handsome brow? # Nothing changes, # nothing changes, # nothing changes anyhow. # Captions by Faith Hamblyn. www.able.co.nz Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2017. Whoa. That's crazy. It's wild. This is in San Francisco. There was a riot here. And then there was actually another riot in New York, in a bar called Stonewall. And the police started coming in and arresting everyone, but the people inside were organised, like the peace movement, except they were like us. And they fought back for three nights, and the cops kept losing. And you know what that really means for us? The guys inside all lost their jobs on day four? (LAUGHS) No. (LAUGHS) It means it's our turn. Maybe in New York,... not Arizona. So when we turn 18, we just leave then. No one wants to get old in Phoenix. Mmm. (DOOR SLAMS) She'll tell my dad. What do we do? I don't know. What do we do? I don't know. I don't know. Thank you. When did you figure it out, Roma? What? My work. Mm. Well, my family's very Catholic, and I was so worried about my mom. She had nine, 10 pregnancies. There were six of us then, and her body and mind were beat. Then one night I heard her pleading with my dad, 'I want to get a job.' And he just said he was taking care of that. And my mom looked me straight in the eye and said, 'You're not afraid like me. Go out into the world. 'Go to college. Have a real life.' So I'm here for women like my mom. And for me, for girls and women like me. We could use you here. You're good with people. We can use all the help we can get. Did you hear about the departure of some of our leadership? Rita Mae Brown. She left? She and a few others like her were making the Democratic Party uncomfortable. The lesbian thing. Betty Friedan called lesbians a menace and forced them all out. No one forced them to push their lifestyle in our faces. How does Aileen, our new president, feel about this? We should ask her. But she'll only tell you there's no place for them here any more. Patty, it's Roma. I am not staying in Boston after all. Listen, do you know anyone at the National Organization for Women in California? (SIGHS) Well, do you have a contact there? No. I'm not running away from anything. I'll see you at the National Women's Caucus in a year. OK. (INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS) (INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYS) (MUSIC CONTINUES) (INTENSE MUSIC) (KNOCK AT DOOR) (DOOR CLICKS) (MUSIC CONTINUES) (MUSIC INTENSIFIES) (MUSIC BUILDS) Has anyone ever asked you about us? Cos you're too pure to have dark meat for lunch every now and then? (CHUCKLES) No. They'll leave us alone. What makes you so sure? Cos I grew up with a vengeful God... always watching me and a curious mom watching just as close ` hellfire and endless questions. I ran all the way here to get away from all that, cos here nobody asks questions,... cos we're already in hell. Transfer to Napoli? I may have gotten you something there when I was on leave. You're supposed to be saving up. It's a birthday present. Napoli. Napoli. Napoli. (CHUCKLES) Friend,... I have thought long on this. And I feel in my heart... that it matters not who... or how thee loves,... but perhaps... where. So you won't tell my parents? This is something you must do. # So you were born in an electrical storm, took a bite out the sun, # saw your future in a machine built for two. # Now your rays make me kind of go crazy, shock and awe and amaze me. # Just a ticker-tape parade and me, but something was wrong. # When you tap-danced on the air, in the night, screaming at the top of your lungs, # you said, 'Come on, come on. # Ah, ah. # Do what you want. # I don't mind you going through my books, but I'd appreciate it if you'd put them back correctly. (CLEARS THROAT) I was looking at pictures of prefrontal lobotomies and trying my best to figure out what makes you people do such barbaric things. In some cases, they eased a patient's symptoms. The side effects were often severe. It made them easier to care for. Yeah, sure ` they were vegetables. There will always be challenges to conventional psychology. What about electroshock therapy? Do you enjoy doing that, too? As treatment for? For anything. It does create changes in brain chemistry that can reverse symptoms of certain mental illnesses if other treatments aren't working. But... why this sudden interest in my profession, Cleve? I'm not sure there is a simple answer for that. All right. Because now I'm the curious one. (TV plays quietly) Goodnight, Mom. Goodnight, Dad. Goodnight, Cleve. Requesting permission to come aboard. Jones! You were to report back at 1500. Something hold you up? We're the first back, sir. And how does that make you any less tardy, sailor? You looking for a promotion, sir? You looking to lose your leave, sailor? No, sir. They're watching you, Jones, close. Keep your nose clean. Yes, sir. Dismissed. (ALARM BLARING) Tell those daisies we'll stay out till reveille if that's what it takes to get return fire. Does that mean fire again, sir? That's exactly what it means. Aft-gun mount, bridge. Fire when ready, sailor. Fire! (BOOM!) (ALARM CONTINUES BLARING) Double down! Keep going! Aft-gun mount, bridge. Reload and confirm. We're overheating here, Jones. We can keep going, but the gun can't. The aft-gun mount's reporting unsafe temperatures, sir. You tell them to keep firing until we get return fire or I'm gonna fire my foot up his ass! Aft-gun mount, reload and confirm... or you get a foot up your ass. Copy, Jones. Keep loading. Keep loading! Fire! (FEEDBACK WHINES) (ALARM CONTINUES BLARING) (DOOR OPENS) Aft-gun mount, report. Aft-gun mount, report. I was wondering if you think that there are any 'happy' homosexuals. The fact that somebody's homosexual ` a true, obligatory homosexual ` automatically rules out... the possibility that he will remain happy for long. The stresses and strains the psychic apparatus is subjected to over the years... will cause him, in time, to have increasing difficulties. The whole idea of saying 'the happy homosexual' is to create a mythology about the nature of homosexuality. Michael, report. Michael? (STATIC HISSING) 1 Unto almighty God, we commend the soul of our brother, Michael Smith, and we commit his body to the deep. (SPLASH!) The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee... and be gracious unto thee. The Lord give thee peace. Attention. All-clear. Hut! Ready. Aim! Fire! (GUNSHOTS) (POIGNANT MUSIC) (INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS) Hi. We're putting up one of these flyers. Oh. Hi. What is it for? The San Francisco women's centres. Is NOW a part of this? We're not all straight, white Wellesley girls. That a problem? I mean, I'm new here. I got no idea what can go on that board. So what's with all the questions? I'm new to California, too. Well, good for you. We're putting up one of these flyers. You find out it's against your rules and you feel comfortable following those rules, you go ahead and tear it down, OK? Uh, yeah. (LAURA LEE'S 'WOMEN'S LOVE RIGHTS' PLAYS) Welcome to California, hot stuff. (DOOR CLOSES) Hello. National Organization for Women, Berkeley office. LAURA LEE: # Love who you wanna, cos a man is sure gonna. # Love rights, # I'm here to tell you about it, girls. # Have you ever participated in any subversive activities? Has there been an accusation, sir? I'm asking the questions, sailor. As in marching with the Panthers. When I was a boy, I went to South Carolina one summer. My uncles there would go out registering people to vote, black folk,... which didn't seem like a... a big deal to a... a Jersey kid. But one day one of them came home savagely beaten. After that, I helped my mom bake food for the civil-rights fighters when they'd come through with the church. And, yes, I did march in New York, but I'm not ashamed of any of that, sir. Now, it's come to my attention that you put in for a transfer to Naples. Sir, I have no desire to go there now. I'll go where I'm needed. Jones, you've been selected for a new programme. You and 11 others have been tasked with reforming officers who act on racial prejudices in a manner that's not in line with today's military. It's a promotion and a relocation. Understood? Yes, sir. Your new base will be on Treasure Island,... in San Francisco. You might be the only sailor to get a transfer from Vietnam to San Francisco and not break a smile. Joy's got nothing to do with me no more, sir. (KNOCK AT DOOR) Hey, birthday boy, let's get you a new bike! (SIGHS) (BRAKES SQUEAK) (SIGHS) (KEYS JANGLE) (CLICK!) I have to tell you something. Let's hear it. I have to give a speech in my psych class. The teacher is Mr Banks. I know him well. And we have to pick a subject, and I've come to the conclusion that I would like to speak on something that I know about, so I'm going to be talking about the gay liberation movement. Well, that sounds like an... an interesting subject, to be sure. I'm gay, Dad. I'm gay. Why are you telling me this? Because it's important that you know. What else? You gonna tell me what you like to do in bed, too? Do I need to know that, too? It's an illness. It can be treated. This is why I waited to tell you when I was 18, cos I was afraid of what you would try to do to fix me. It doesn't matter what age you are. You're my son. And I love you. And I will cure you of this. (SOBS) So what are you suggesting ` electroshock therapy? If I thought it would help, yes. (POIGNANT PIANO MUSIC) Sorry. (CAR DOOR SLAMS) You call me. Let him go. Let him go. Come on, Mary. It's time. (FANCY HAGOOD'S 'CALIFORNIA') # Sitting in a park in Paris, France, reading the news, and it sure looks bad. # They won't give peace a chance. That was just a dream some of us had. # Still a lot of land to see, but I wouldn't wanna stay here. # It's too old and cold and settled in its ways here. # California, oh, California... # The peace-movement kids, the women's movement, the civil-rights fighters, all of the outsiders and outcasts ` everything we read told us that San Francisco is where we, the us-es, could find safe harbour. # Mm-mm-mm... So that's where we went on our own journeys to find freedom and shelter, all of the us-es. # The streets are full of strangers. All the news of home you read... Look at me, you spade bastard! Look at me! Now, you get back in those seats where the blacks go. And where do the blacks go? They get in the back. Is that understood? Answer me! Go to hell. But that's not what those soldiers said to you, is it? Because you were their commanding officer, and they knew they'd be punished if they did. I said go to hell. Oh. That was for me. There's nothing wrong with treating different things different. Sir. Did you know that those black soldiers you made get up out their seats in Tennessee received Medals of Honour for rescuing a white officer who lost his leg, but not his life, because they went back into enemy fire to save him in Vietnam? Maybe tomorrow we'll play out that situation with you as one of those black soldiers. I won't be back. Then understand it's up to me to write the report that will allow you to return to your post or not. I have served this country with devotion for 30 years. I don't understand. I don't understand! That's because we're just getting to know each other now. And I have as much to learn from you as you have to learn from me, and that's the real truth. What's it matter if men hear us? We're not asking for entry into their system. No, we're not. We are building our own system. Very good point. Does everyone here hate men? It's not about that. No. Because I have a son, and it would make my life a heck of a lot easier if I could bring him here, but I don't want him denigrated. No, we don't hate men, but we are here to establish the right of women to control our own lives. Exactly. Absolutely. And if that comes into conflict with men, then so be it. Exactly. Absolutely. Bring him. It's not Robert's Rules here ` just speak up. From what I saw in Boston, these fights over hating men and excluding men were distractions` Uh-huh. ...created by men to divide us. Mm-hm. And what group were you with there? I was with NOW. Oh, NOW. (LAUGHTER) You know what? For some of us, it actually matters who we choose to share our lives with. Yeah, and that doesn't include men. Right. So, you know, what is it that does matter to you? Any idea? I am with NOW, but I'm more interested in working with women on immediate needs` Well, that's good. ...like violence. Did you know not far from here, a woman named Inez Garcia was raped, and when she defended her life with her son's gun, they charged her with murder? We know Inez's story well. We're aware. Yes. And did you know that we had to form the Lesbian Mothers Union` That's right. Listen to this. ...to keep the state from snatching our kids? That's right. Talk about violence. Mm-hm. So instead of fighting each other, let's ask NOW to work with us on a rally. NOW doesn't give a damn about us. For women like Inez. We're all for idealism, but we can't even get a permit to assemble. We tried. We hold a street action, we get beat up by the very cops that refuse to protect us. Yes. That's right. So unless you can get us a permit for a women's march in a city run by all Catholic cops... Mm-hm. Yeah. Do you have magical powers or something? What are you gonna do? (LAUGHTER) Why not give it a try? So NOW can throw stones at us for being too radical? I'll see you all next time, all right? (CHAIRS SCRAPE) Don't worry. It won't take long. I'll show you where you need to go so you can hear NOW for yourself. Go where? To the cops, for a rally permit. (INSPIRING MUSIC) (MUSIC FADES) I can handle this assignment just fine, sir. It's other things weighing on me. As long as what weighs on you isn't against Navy law, I'm obligated not to share it. I'll say this ` there's no man who's seen what I've seen... or done what I've done who hasn't started to feel that this life is futile. I need the Lord's help, but the Lord I grew up with. I need to know there's still some light out there. (CLEARS THROAT) You won't find much love for men in uniform over there. Bring civilian clothes. Once you get across the bridge,... you rent a locker, and you change. This is a church with a good reverend, but it's not in the most sacrosanct neighbourhood. Jesus walked amongst the sinners. I'm not sure it's anything Jesus ever saw. (BUZZ!) Are you Phil? I'm Cleve Jones, from Phoenix. Sarah from the hostel on Geary said that you'd let me crash here for a couple of nights. (INDISTINCT ARGUING) (SIGHS) You can stay a week. After that, you pay. No guests, and I've got one key, so get back while I'm still awake. OK. What's the best way to get to the Haight from here? You looking for smack? No. It's all dead. What is? What is dead? Everything you read or heard or... saw. It's all gone. Your summer of love... turned into a winter of heroin a long time ago. Keeping this city safe is about upholding moral standards. San Francisco was once a thriving blue-collar town. And then in the '60s, a new choice was made. The mayor said, 'If you want tourists and corporations, get rid of the radicals, hippies and gays.' Thank you. And in one year, 2800 gay men were arrested. (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) So hand in hand with the church and the cops, the mayor declared war on us. He declared war on all of the us-es. We ask nicely about the rules first, so we don't get bureaucratic excuses later. Sometimes you get more with honey than vinegar. Never thought I could hate that expression more. Is there a problem? We wanna make sure we don't need any sort of permit for our event. You from a church group? We're with the women's centres. A women's centre in my district? Centres. It's plural, and it's new. Oh. Well, there's nothing I enjoy more than a sheet cake with a thick layer of frosting. Particularly when it's made by a pair of lovely young things like you. No permit needed for something like that. What if we don't bake? If you're saying we don't need a permit, could I have that in writing, please? I've said all I'm gonna say, honey. From now on, why don't you let the men worry about things like permits? My name is Roma, and I am in charge of this demonstration. That's why I'm standing in front of you asking nicely for something in writing. A demonstration? How about you two nicely get out of my face? Well, now I'd like to have a permit application and be denied officially. Consider your application submitted and denied. Now, get your dyke face out of my station before I arrest you for aggravating an officer. But I'm not a dyke! (LAUGHTER) (CURTIS MAYFIELD'S 'PUSHERMAN') (LAMP CLATTERS) # I'm your mama, I'm your daddy, I'm that nigga in the alley, I'm your doctor when in need. # Want some coke? Have some weed. You know me, I'm your friend, your main boy, thick and thin. # I'm your pusherman. (BOTH PANT) # Lord, Lord. # Her name's Diane. She's in the Peace Corps in Togo. She was the only one... till now. (CHUCKLES) And you're still in love with her? I didn't say that. You asked me if this had happened before. I asked you if it bothered you that we did it. You went right to her. # Oh, I got to give it a try. Ooh... (BLUES MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING QUIETLY) OK, fine. Yes, it bothers me. It was different in Togo. (CHUCKLES) Women hold each other in public, walk around hand in hand. And if they knew you were having sex with this Diane? Guess we would have been terminated, sent home... or... jailed. I don't know. You can walk around some parts of San Francisco holding hands. Yeah, but here it's making a statement. There it was just a normal thing to see. I can't explain to you the difference that makes. What are you afraid of, Roma? I have a big family. I love them, and I need them,... but we're Catholic. And when was the last time you talked to them about anything personal, not politics or work? Before college. So because of this secret,... you're losing them anyhow, in the ways that matter most. # And I can talk it up, I know, # I know. # (INDISTINCT SHOUTING, SIREN WAILS) (SIGHS) Hey! I think he needs some help. Do you smell fruit all of a sudden? I'm not talking about me ` I'm talking about him. And I'm asking, does the fruit got a problem or is he looking for one? Get out of our city, or you get what he got. Yeah, that's right. Move on. (GROANS) (POIGNANT MUSIC) (BIRDS CHIRP) (INTRIGUING MUSIC) Hey. You made it. Come on up. 1 (INDISTINCT CHATTER, LAUGHTER) Here. Hey, man. I was worried about you. Come on. Welcome. I'm Scott. (LAUGHS) Boys, say hi. (CHUCKLING) What is this? It's our little tree house. Relax. Make yourself at home. (SIREN WAILS IN THE DISTANCE) MAN: Who here lives by the word of God? And who here lives by the word of God every day of their life? No one. We all fall short of the glory of God. And I don't know about you, but I can certainly see this is true for the city of San Francisco these days. ALL: Yeah! So you can either live by this book or you can live for yourself. And the Bible tells us what will come of a city of the selfish ` for this, He gave them over to degrading passion. ALL: Yeah! Amen! Ah, yes. And there are men here today who bend their nature as well, turning their passions to one another. And if they continue to live for themselves and not by the word of God, they, too, will suffer for eternity. ALL: Amen! Say, 'Amen!' ALL: Amen! Amen! Amen! ALL: Amen! Hey! (SHOUTING) For God's sake, why do we have to rely on men for anything? I'm not ` I'm saying we use them. And just who might these insiders be? Yeah. I dragged Jean up to Polk St. There are bars filled with drag performers and gay men. They got their liquor licences somehow. They've kept them somehow ` they must have someone on the inside. Because they're still men. They're in that club ` we aren't. But if what we need are permits so we can speak up for women like Inez, who's on trial for defending her own life, or if we ever hope to get a decent building instead of this dump, why not attempt an alliance? I mean, what are we afraid of? Wait. You support this idea, Jean? I don't see why we're dismissing it without consideration just because they have balls and we don't. When considering an ally, it's important to consider the baggage they bring with them. Gay men are arrested nightly for public sex and prostitution and on and on. Frankly, I'm sick of sticking up for their conscience when it never seems to travel outside their groin area. (CHUCKLES) Are we suggesting that lesbians aren't into sex as much as gay men? Or straight women. (LAUGHTER) Jean and Roma, I'd like to have the three of us, you know, get together and... and discuss sexual energy ` who, what and where. How about Monday, my house, for tea? (LAUGHTER) Sounds horrible to me. We have tea. Yeah. We're busy. Thanks for inviting us, though. (PEACEFUL MUSIC) (SIGHS) I say we just get rid of all the heterosexuals. They're so boring. Or we get out of here. I'm going to Morocco next, then to India and the Middle East. There's gotta be a real San Francisco out there. You're leaving? I'm tired of good things always leaving. If I find that place, you can meet me there. Hmm? I need money for that, a job. Good luck with that. Scott, you wanna know something? Tell me. You're the closest person I have in my life right now. (GENE MCDANIELS' 'COMPARED TO WHAT) (SIREN WAILS) # I said, I love the lie and lie the love. Hi. # Hangin' on with a push and shove. # Looks like we always # end up in a rut. # Hey, tryin' to make it real. # Compared to what? # Uh-huh, trying to make it real. # Compared to what? # Yeah. # Captions by Faith Hamblyn. www.able.co.nz Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2017.