Documentary Political Animals tells the story of one of the biggest civil rights struggles of this century – the gay rights movement – through the eyes of four elected women in California. Emotionally charged like its subjects, the film chronicles their fight for the causes most personal to them and their communities.
After showing a short summary of the film, director/producer Jonah Markowitz joined the Centre's American Studies lecturer Aaron Nyerges and City of Sydney councillor Christine Forster for a conversation about the film, and the role of both the public and politicians in achieving LGBTI equality in Australia and around the world.
Event partner: Mardi Gras Film Festival
Jonah Markowitz
Director of the documentary Political Animals
Jonah Markowitz spoke at a USSC event in 2017 about the documentary he directed - Political Animals.
Christine Forster
Councillor, City of Sydney
Christine Forster was a speaker at a USSC event in 2017. She is a City of Sydney Councillor.

Dr Aaron Nyerges
Academic Director and Senior Lecturer in American Studies, United States Studies Centre
Aaron Nyerges is the Academic Director and a Senior Lecturer in American Studies at the US Studies Centre. He holds a PhD in English from the University of Sydney and a BA in Creative Writing from the State University of New York. His work focuses on the relationship between literature, media and geography.