Product Details

• Directors: Heather MacDonald
• Producers: Heather MacDonald, Bob Jorissen, David Meieran, Esther Cassidy
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Fox Lorber
• VHS Release Date: October 13, 1997
• Run Time: 72 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304006780
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #398,375 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A revealing and spirited documentary, Ballot Measure 9 takes a frightening look at a persistent and growing lack of tolerance in America. Efforts are made by the conservative Oregon Citizens' Alliance to revoke "special rights" (a.k.a. equal rights) from homosexuals during the 1992 presidential election. Director Heather MacDonald creates a sense of urgency and tension while covering all sides of this issue, but the viewer cannot help comparing Oregon to Germany in the early 1930s. She includes segments of anti-gay films produced by the Alliance, as well as interviews with those who fought its passage. Because of the sizzling passion on both sides of the issue, this captures the emotional turmoil by outraged gays and lesbians as well as the outrageous claims of the religious right. If nothing else, this doc provides irrefutable proof of the power of grassroots organizations, no matter your political view. --Rochelle O'Gorman

From The New Yorker

Heather MacDonald's documentary, about the 1992 Oregon referendum that would have mandated anti-gay discrimination, recounts events in a clear, workmanlike style. While not much in the interviews with either side is surprising, the developing climate of hate that the movie records is unnerving: over the course of the campaign, violence against homosexuals increases dramatically. By the end of the film, when the measure is defeated, there seems little to celebrate. -Bruce Diones
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should see this film., May 31, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ballot Measure 9 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is one of the best films I have ever seen. Emotionally charged and terrifyingly true, BALLOT MEASURE 9's greatest achievement is that Heather McDonald deftly connects other marginalized groups to the anti-gay initiative in Oregon, showing how all people are oppressed when one group is singled out for discrimination, no matter what the rationale. I would recommend this film especially to straight people who don't understand what gay men and lesbians are going through all over the country -- quite literally, a fight for our lives. My (straight) parents' attitudes were forever changed by this film and so will you be. BALLOT MEASURE 9 will make you scream with anger in a world full of fear and ignorance, but it will also shout for joy at the hope and love and possibilities revealed in this incredible fight for a real democracy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars spectacular, January 8, 2006

By 

lucid "lucid" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ballot Measure 9 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The first time I saw this video, I was alone, at home, and broke down into tears at the surreal level of hate aimed at lesbians and gay men. The second time I saw it was at the New York LGBT Film Festival; I could hear that scores of other adults were weeping with me in the dark. We've come a long way since 1992, thank God, farther than most of us would have expected at the time. But it's still good to know how recently lesbians and gay men were utter pariahs, and how much irrational hatred still could erupt if encouraged by public leaders--either towards lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgendered folks or toward other unpopular groups, if the majority does not come to their aid.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really well done, painful, funny, important, February 13, 2006

By 

R. Blazak "Sociologist" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ballot Measure 9 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I'm so happy to find this video here. I have a copy that is worn out from playing for my students every year. It shows the human side of the impact of the anti-gay hate movement. The level of ignorance from the hate mongers about homosexuality would be comical if not for the fact that some fearful homophobes turn to violence, as this important film illustrates.