It's not commonly known that downtown Sacramento, one of the most liberal spots in California, is the home of national opposition to same-sex marriage.

From offices near the state Capitol, a PR firm called Schubert Flint has defeated same-sex marriage in California and Maine while setting the standard for how traditional marriage is defended nationwide.

Tonight at the Crest Theatre, not far from Schubert Flint's offices, an important new film shows how they did it in Maine and how one of America's great cultural issues has been shaped on conference calls originating in Sacramento.

Directed by Joe Fox, "Question One" will be shown at 6:30 p.m and 8:45 p.m. and is worth your time because it's fast-paced, fascinating and does what art is supposed to do:

It holds up a mirror to tell us something important about ourselves without being preachy or manipulative.

The opposing sides of Question 1, the 2009 same-sex marriage ballot initiative in Maine, allowed Fox full access as they waged their campaigns. He didn't squander the opportunity.

Fox reveals the humanity of both sides and his mirror/camera poignantly illustrates how the combatants shared so much in common.

The most interesting character is Marc Mutty, public affairs director for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maine, who admits he was ordered by his bishop to run the campaign for the anti-gay marriage forces.

If it were left up to him, Mutty wouldn't have fought against gay marriage, but he has no choice. Church and state are supposedly separate in our country.

But there is Mutty – the instrument of his church – as the indispensable man shaping laws denying gay marriage based on religious beliefs.

Mutty also becomes the puppet of Frank Schubert, who pulls his strings from Sacramento.

Mutty laments how, under orders from Schubert, the goal of his side is to scare voters and create doubt in their minds. He admits fully that his side stretches the truth to win votes.

What does Schubert think? Fox said he turned down several requests to be in his film because he doesn't want to be known as Mr. Anti-Gay Marriage. Schubert has said the same to me over the years.

This attitude evokes the bomber pilot who rationalizes the buttons he pushed at 50,000 feet from the destruction it causes below. What Schubert did left a wake of tears in Maine, which Fox depicts with great tenderness.

Fox's mirror reveals it all – how same-sex marriage was defeated by God-fearing people using fear tactics and recruiting voters who weren't shy about sharing their loathing for gay people.

It's easy to see why Schubert wouldn't want to be widely known for this.

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Call The Bee's Marcos Breton, (916) 321-1096.

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