You are here:

Church & State

Name: Church & State
Director: Holly Tuckett, Kendall Wilcox
Released: 2018
Duration: 85 min

Representation Score

6.6/10

Good

2018

TV-14

Director

Holly Tuckett, Kendall Wilcox

Runtime

85 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Church & State documents how underrepresented groups use legal strategies to challenge established social and religious hierarchies. By focusing on the fight to overturn Utah’s marriage ban, the film showcases LGBTQ+ activists as active architects of change rather than passive subjects. The documentary offers a nuanced perspective on the tension between religious institutions and secular rights. It delves into the internal dynamics and strategic maneuvers within activist communities. While the film successfully highlights LGBTQ+ visibility, it lacks detailed information about racial diversity and disability representation. The narrative primarily focuses on the intersection of queer identity and religious institutions.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Church & State have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

The film highlights LGBTQ+ individuals as key players in driving historical change. It emphasizes their roles as activists rather than peripheral figures.

How does Church & State portray gender?

Good

Women are prominently featured as leaders and influencers within legal and activist contexts. The film examines their roles in challenging traditional masculine power structures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Church & State?

Fair

The narrative focuses on the intersection of sexual orientation and religious institutions. However, it does not provide explicit details about the racial makeup of the activist groups.

How does Church & State represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The documentary critiques the impact of the Mormon Church on state politics. It highlights the conflict between religious dominance and secular legal advancements.

Does Church & State include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no indication of the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in this film.

Present on Screen

Highlights LGBTQ+ individuals as key drivers of historical and legal change.
Examines leadership and power dynamics within activist spheres.
Critiques the influence of religious institutions on state political structures.

Limited or Absent

Could include more explicit detail about the racial and ethnic composition of the activists.
Includes no visible representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Church & State is the improbable story of a brash, inexperienced gay activist and a tiny Salt Lake City law firm that joined forces to topple Utah’s gay marriage ban. The film’s ride on the bumpy road to equality in Utah offers a glimpse at the Mormon church’s influence in state politics and the squabbles inside the gay community that nearly derailed a chance to make history. Church & State is a story of triumph, setback and a little-known lawsuit that should have failed, but instead paved the way for a U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized gay unions nationwide.

How are these scores produced? →