Pictured: Sally Gearhart.
SAN FRANCISCO—A radical lesbian feminist whose trailblazing vision and ebullient personality were the spark for movements with far-reaching impacts, the legacy of Sally Gearhart has also largely been erased from history. From the defeat of the Briggs Initiative to the founding of the first Women’s Studies program in the nation, to groundbreaking writing on lesbian separatist communities, Gearhart was a fierce-hearted San Francisco political preacher at the center of many iconic movements of the 1970s and 1980s.
In this heartfelt documentary following her journey from a 23-year-old professor at a Christian college to her final days surrounded by a diverse and dedicated community, director Deborah Craig (A GREAT RIDE, Frameline42) re-centers the charismatic Gearhart who ignited movements, fought tirelessly for change, and created lasting bonds. Deftly weaving archival footage with interviews spanning decades, SALLY! illuminates the personal and political context that defines Gearhart’s legacy, humorously and thoughtfully celebrating her while also confronting the controversies and limitations of lesbian separatism. SALLY! is a rare watch that honors its subject as both an icon and a beloved, complex individual.
Where: Frameline Film Festival, KQED, 2601 Mariposa St., San Francisco, CA
When: June 26, 2024 8 pm—9:34 pm (screening 2 of 2)
For details, see: https://www.frameline.org/films/frameline48/sally
