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Chris S. Sinton
20 Santa Rita Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94116

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Synopsis
The Last Dance Raid recounts a pivotal night in American history when gay rights first gained a seat at the table of progressive politics. MInisters for the first time joined with various gay and lesbian organizations to create an exciting fundraiser the first day of 1965. The story unfolds through eye-witness accounts. Long-time lesbian activists Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon tell how the Mardi Gras Ball grew out of gay drag ball and house party traditions, and also share their memories of taking tickets at the door when the police burst in. Herb Donaldson, now a respected federal judge, thought his legal career was over because he was arrested for obstructing a police officer in the line of duty when he asked the police to show their warrants for entering. Jon Borset recounts losing his job when news of his arrest was published in the newspaper. Other interviewees include attendees Nancy May, and Fred Alvarez, who vividly describe what it was like to be inside California Hall during the raid. Organizers and ministers Chuck Lewis and Ted McIllvenna give blow-by-blow behind-the-scenes insights into what they hoped to accomplish that night, and why it was so important. The political establishment saw first-hand, for the first time, the kind of discrimination the gay community routinely faced, and as a result embraced gay rights as part of their cause. Ministers held a widely-reported press conference the next morning to angrily denounce the police. When the entire conflict was brought before a Federal Court, the judge quickly sided with the innocent party goers, since the police didn’t even have warrants. The media latched on to this like never before and the gay rights movement turned a decisive corner, and it has never looked back.
In telling the tale of the police raid at California Hall, we also come to understand the larger history of faith-based efforts to promote a truly just and tolerant society in the United States. The Mardi Gras Costume Ball was a fundraiser for the Council on Religion and the Homosexual, the world’s first ecumenical organization devoted to promoting gay civil rights issues in American culture, and in the life of Protestant Churches—the very issues now threatening to tear apart the Anglican Communion. We also see how this event helped politicize San Francisco’s gay community, and change the relationship between that community and the city’s political leaders. The globally significant leadership of San Franciscans of all sexual orientations, on cutting-edge social justice issues related to sexual identity, can be traced directly back to what happened at California Hall in 1965.
The Last Dance Raid brings together an accomplished production team and a distinguished roster of advisors and consultants. Producer Susan Stryker won an Emmy® Award for her previous film, Screaming Queens, and is an internationally-recognized expert on San Francisco’s LGBT history. Executive Producer Chris Sinton, a former senior Director at Cisco Systems, pioneer of web-based philanthropy, and Board Chair of New Leaf Services, is making his debut as a media activist with this film. Documentary director Jallen Rix has previous experience in music and music video production, and is also a syndicated columnist and has his doctorate of education in sexology for the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. Cinematographer Scott Saraceno has shot commercials for Verizon Wireless, Leroy Neiman, and other high-end clients. Sound Engineer Michael Rodriguez was Grammy® nominated in 1998 for his work at Meac Studios, co-founded with rock music icon Boz Scaggs.