8: The Mormon Proposition

2010 Documentary

In 2008, California voters were asked to weigh in on Proposition 8, a ballot measure that would amend the state constitution to specify that marriage was legal only between a man and a woman, effectively ending the drive to bring gay marriage to California. Proposition 8 was passed, the first time California voters had agreed to limit civil rights by law, and among its most vocal supporters were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints, better known as the Mormons. Mormon groups contributed 22 million dollars to advertising campaigns against Prop. 8, and some Mormon activists took part in inflammatory disinformation campaigns about the possible effects of making gay marriage legal. Filmmakers Reed Cowan and Steven Greenstreet examine the role of the Mormon Church in the battle against same-sex marriage in the documentary 8: The Mormon Proposition, as well as examining Mormon doctrine on homosexuality (including church-approved programs to "cure" homosexuality), suicide rates among gay teens in Mormon communities, and misleading comments from Mormon leaders on the impact of Prop. 8 on religious freedoms. 8: The Mormon Proposition received its world premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. more..

Director: Reed Cowan

Reviews

  • As an exposé, there could hardly be a stronger case for ensuring and strengthening the separation of church and state -- or a stronger message to gay people as to the magnitude of the challenge to win equal rights.

    Kevin Thomas - Los Angeles Times

    29 November 2012

  • A hard-hitting exposé of a shameful episode.

    Lou Lumenick - New York Post

    29 November 2012

  • If the impact of co-director/writer Reed Cowan's film is undercut by its sometimes sloppy execution, it nonetheless provides a disturbing portrait of the increasing overlap between church and state.

    Frank Scheck - The Hollywood Reporter

    29 November 2012

  • 8 is most coherent as a chilling confirmation of both the mind-warping power of an institution like the Mormon Church and the extent to which politics is, above all, a marketing game.

    Michelle Orange - Movieline

    29 November 2012

  • Filmmaker Reed Cowan (himself gay and raised Mormon) documents the church's considerable financial influence on Prop 8's passage. Then he expands his sad and furious homegrown film to record the misery of gay Mormons sometimes driven to suicide over being rejected by their church and families.

    Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly

    29 November 2012

Awards

  • Outstanding Documentary

    GLAAD Media Awards (2011)