Cassie and Elisia Ross-Stone, the real-lifeLesbian Grandmothers from Marswhose bicycling odyssey for same-sex marriage rights inspired a well-received documentary film of the same name, are coming to West Virginia University Monday, April 3.
They’ll attend a screening of the film (full title:Lesbian Grandmothers from Mars: One Couple’s Journey for Marriage Equality), at 8 p.m. in G-24 Eiesland Hall, and lead a discussion afterwards.
Their appearance here is part of WVU ’s Gay Pride Week observances and a spring semesterMovie Nightseries hosted by the Center for Women’s Studies.
The 2005 film by director Keith Wilson chronicles three months in the life of the couple from tiny Mars, Pa., as they pedaled from Golden Gate Park in San Francisco to New York City and Manhattanthe finish line of the grueling 3,800-mileRainbow Ride across Americafor gay rights.
They crossed mountain ranges, deserts and the country’s small towns, where they were met with protest, praise and the occasional death threat.
Carrie Ross-Stone is a WVU College of Law graduate and women’s studies student who with Elisia co-founded the legal services Web site, Rainbowlaw.com.
Co-sponsoring the screening and appearance are several organizations across campus and the community.
They are: Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgendered Mountaineers; the Morgantown chapter of the National Organization for Women; the Feminist Equality Movement; WVU ’s Council for Women’s Concerns; and the Division of Social Work.
Other sponsors are the Community Coalition for Social Justice; WVU College of Law; the American Civil Liberties Union; West Virginia Foundation for Equality; Rainbow Law; Rainbow Community Center ; WVU Council on Sexual Orientation; and WVU ’s Division of Family and Consumer Sciences.
WVU College of Law GLASS (Gay, Lesbian, and Alternative&Straight Students) is also assisting with the evening, along with the group, Monongalia Friends Meetings.
For more information on the movie nights series, contact Dr. Barbara Howe, director of the Center for Women’s Studies, at barbara.howe@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-2339, ext. 1155.