>> THIS WEEK ON TO THE CONTRARY... FIRST THE STATE OF LESBIAN RIGHTS AFTER A UTAH JUMP'S CONTROVERSIAL RULING ON FOSTER CARE.

THEN YOUNG WOMEN LIVING WITH MOM AND DAD AT RECORD LEVELS.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES WE TALK TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW MOVIE SUFFRAGETTE.

[♪♪♪] >> HELLO I'M BONNIE ERBE WELCOME TO THE CONTRARY A DISCUSSION OF NEWS AND SOCIAL TRENDS FROM DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.

UP FIRST, LGBTQ RIGHTS.

>> A MARRIED LESBIAN COUPLE PLANS TO FIGHT A JUDGE'S ORDER THAT THEY GIVE UP THEIR FOSTER CHILD.

A JUMP ORDERED THE REMOVAL FROM THEIR HOUSEHOLD BECAUSE HE SAYS THERE IS RESEARCH THAT SHOWS CHILDREN DO BETTER WHEN RAISED BY HETEROSEXUAL COUPLES.

THEY BECAME LIPSED AS FOSTER PARENTS AFTER THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING AFFIRMING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

THE COUPLE PLANNED TO ADOPT THE FOSTER CHILD AND RAISE HER WITH THE COUPLE'S TWO BIOLOGICAL CHILDREN.

WHAT DOES THE UTAH JUDGE'S RULING SAY ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE SUPREME COURT'S RULING OF GAMER?

>> GAY MARRIAGE.

>> IT SPEAKS TO THE JUDGE IGNORING THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD AND THE RESEARCH THAT SHOWS CHILDREN ARE JUST AS WELL OFF WITH SAME SEX PARENTS OR OPPOSITE SEX PARENTS.

>> IT SAYS ONE THING SUMMED UP IN TWO WORDS JUDICIAL ACTIVISM AND THAT IS DANGEROUS.

>> THIS CASE IS A CASE OF JUDICIAL IGNORANCE WHERE THE TU TA JUDGE HAS MISS MISINTERPRETED THE LAW.

>> WHEN THE SUPREME COURT MANDATED SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IT CUTOFF DEMOCRATIC DEBATE ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT INSTITUTION.

IT'S NOT SURPRISING THAT THE IMPLICATIONS ARE BEING WORKED OUT.

>> AND THERE THEY BE?

>> I THINK WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF DEBATE.

IT IS A REAPABLE VIEW THAT MANY PEOPLE HELD THAT CHILDREN DESERVE TO BE RAISED BY A MOM AND A DAD AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RESPECTED.

MY CONCERN GOING FORWARD IS HOW WILL PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT MARRIAGE IS THE UNION OF A MAN AND A WOMAN HOW WILL THEY BE TREATED IN OUR SOCIETY.

>> IT REMINDS ME FRANKLY OF THE REVOLUTION WHICH AFTER 1917 IT TOOK PLACE IN MOSCOW BUT THE CZAR'S ARMY AND THE BOW SIEVIC'S WERE FIGHTING AFTERWARDS.

IS THAT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE?

>> WE HAVE SEEN PROGRESS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SPECIFICALLY IN MARRIAGE EQUALITY AND THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN UTAH.

THIS COUPLE IS MARRIED THEY ARE LEGALLY MARRIED.

THEY HAVE FOLLOWED THE LEGAL PROCESS TO FOSTER AND HOPEFULLY ADOPT THEIR DAUGHTER.

AND WE WILL SEE THAT CONVERSATION PLAYING OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BUT IT IS THE LAW OF THE LAND NOW THAT SAME-SEX COUPLES ARE ABLE TO GET MARRIED.

>> SHOULD IT SEND A SIGNAL THAT ALL IS NOT GREAT FOR GAY, LESBIAN, QUEER, WHATEVER, TRANSGENDER COUPLES.

IN OTHER WORDS THE PUBLIC REACTION IS WOW THEY MADE IT THEY ARE THERE.

THEY ARE NOT THERE.

>> NO, AND THERE IS A LONG WAY TO GO.

THIS CASE SHOWS THERE ARE HEARTS AND MINDS TO CHANGE TO CATCH UP WITH THE LAW.

AND THERE ARE CHALLENGES PEOPLE FACE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS THEY ARE TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER THEIR FAMILY.

>> IS THERE ROOM FOR DEBATE ON THIS?

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN WHERE CHILD WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS RUN BY RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN DRIVEN OUT OF THEIR SERVICE BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE CONVICTION THAT THEY WANT TO PLACE CHILDREN WITH A MOTHER AND A FATHER.

THERE SHOULD BE ROOM IN OUR SOCIETY FOR THAT.

AND YET IN BOSTON AND WASHINGTON D.C. AND ILLINOIS THOSE RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE HAD TO GET OUT OF SERVING CHILDREN ALTOGETHER.

WHEN WE HAVE SO MANY CHILDREN WITH SO MANY NEEDS LET'S ALLOW A DIVERSITY OF PROVIDERS AND PROTECT THE RELIGIOUS RIGHTS OF GROUPS LIKE THAT.

>> THE MOTHER SUPPORTED FOSTER CARE AND ADOPT SHOP OF THAT CHILD.

>> THIS PARTICULAR CASE WILL WORKOUT IN THE COURT OF LAW.

WE ARE ALL AT A DISTANCE AND NOBODY HAS SEEN THE JUDGE'S OPINION.

IT WILL WORKOUT IN THE LEGAL PROCESS BUT WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH DISSENTING PERSPECTIVES IN THIS SOCIETY.

>> AND IN YOU LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF CIVIL RIGHTS IN OUR COUNTRY WHENEVER THERE IS A NATIONAL RIGHT ESTABLISHED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THERE ARE OFTEN LOCAL EFFORTS TO RESTRICT THAT RIGHT.

IT HAPPENED IN THE CASE OF VOTING RIGHTS.

WHERE YOU HAD STATES ENACTING POLL TAXES.

AND OTHER BARRIERS TO VOTING RIGHTS.

IT'S HAPPENED WITH ABORTION RIGHTS.

AND -- >> AND NOW IT'S HAPPENING WITH LGBTQ RIGHTS.

NOW WILL THAT CONFLICT BETWEEN THE FEDERAL LAW AND THE LOCAL LAW RESOLVE ITSELF?

I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE WORDS OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. THAT THE ARC OF THE MORAL UNIVERSE IS LONG WITH A BENT TOWARDS JUSTICE.

>> IS IT SURPRISING THIS WAS A LESBIAN COUPLE THAT THIS FIRST JUDGE LASHED OUT AT?

AS OPPOSED TO TWO GAY MEN.

>> IT COULD HAVE BEEN EITHER THIS IS A CASE NOT AS MUCH ABOUT THE COUPLE BUT THE JUDGE MISJUDGING THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD THAT THE DIVISION OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES THE EXPERTS IN THE CASE STAND BEHIND THE DECISION TO PLACE THE CHILD THEY ARE SEEKING A STAY IN THE ORDER SO THAT THIS BABY GIRL CAN STAY WITH HER FAMILY.

>> SHOULD THE LGBTQ MOVEMENT NOW BE FOCUSING ON CHANGING FEDERAL LAWS SO THAT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST GAYS AND IN ANY FORM IS ILLEGAL AS OPPOSED TO NOW THERE IS NO FEDERAL LAW THAT BARS DISCRIMINATION IN WORKPLACE, IN WHATEVER, FOR LGBTQ INTEREST THE FOCUS SHOULD BE THERE BUT I DO NOT THINK THERE SHOULD BE A SHIFT.

I AM A BELIEVER IN STATES RIGHTS AND IN NORTH CAROLINA WAS EPIC.

THE SPOKE SPOKE AND THEY REVERSED THE DECISION ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

AND WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT AND NOT GET TRIGGER HAPPY ON POLICY CHANGES IS THAT THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR SAID THE DECISION PUZZLED HIM AND THE JUDGE SHOULD FOLLOW THE LAW.

WHAT WE ARE SEE SOMETHING A CASE, I HOPE AN ISOLATED CASE OF ENGLISHAL ACTIVISM AND THAT IS DANGEROUS PRECEDENT.

I HOPE THE MOVEMENT REMAINS FOCUSED ON STATES RIGHTS AS WELL.

>> YOU MENTIONED ALL THESE NEW LAWS, PROGRESS SOME WOULD SAY, THERE IS KICKBACK AGAINST THEM.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT AGREE AND FEEL LIKE THEY WERE FORCED INTO A SITUATION AND FIGHT AGAINST IT.

HOW LONG DO YOU THINK THAT WILL TAKE TO PLAY OUT?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT THE LGBTQ MOVEMENT IS SMART TO MAKE A PUSH FOR THE EQUAL RIGHTS ACT AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE THAT IS PUTTING THE PRESSURE ON IN A DIFFERENT WAY AS THE STATES TRY TO RESTRICT THE RIGHT YOU HAVE THE MOVEMENT TRYING TO PUSH THE RIGHT FORWARD.

AND THAT IS A SPORT MOVE.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE QUESTION WOULD A JUDGE EVER RULE THAT AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAMILY COULD NOT ADOPT A WHITE CHILD?

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THAT WOULD BE RIDICULOUS.

SO IT IS A REAL STRETCH HERE TO SAY THAT AN LGBTQ FAMILY CANNOT ADOPT A CHILD.

>> THE SOCIAL SCIENCE ON THE QUESTION IS DEBATED AND THE MOST RIGOROUS STUDIES CONTINUE TO AFFIRM WHAT DECADES SAID THAT CHILDREN TEND TO DO BEST WHEN RAISED BY MARRIED BIOLOGICAL PARENTS MOTHER AND FATHER.

>> REALLY?

I HAVE SEEN A STUDY THAT CAME OUT FIVE YEARS AGO THAT SHOWED GAY PARENTS WERE BETTER?

>> THAT WAS A CONVENIENT SAMPLE IT WAS NOT A SAMPLE THAT HAS RELATION TO THE POPULATION AT LARGE.

WHEN WE SEE POPULATION BASED SAMPLES THERE IS CONFIRMATION OF WHAT SCIENCE HAS SAID AND THIS IS DEBATED AND YOU CANNOT SAY THE SUPREME COURT BASED ITS DECISION ON SCIENCE.

IT IS A REASONABLE CONCLUSION TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN.

STATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS ON THE BEST WELFARE OF THE I WILL CHILD.

WE SHOULD DEBATE ON OUR EXPERIENCE AND WHAT THE RESEARCHYS.

NO ONE SHOULD BE SILENCED ON THE GROUND.

>> WE CAN LOOK AT THE RESEARCH AND JUSTICE JUNE THERE WAS AN OVERARCHING STUDY OF 19,000 PIECES OF RESEARCH AND ARTICLES OPPORTUNITY THIS SUBJECT THAT FOUND OVERWHELMINGLY THAT CHILDREN OF SAME-SEX COUPLES HAVE NO DIFFERENCES IN THEIR LIVES IN HEALTH INDICATORS OR OTHERWISE OTHER THAN IN THEIR -- WITH OTHER TYPES OF FAMILIES.

SO I THINK WHAT WE ARE SEEING THERE WILL BE WORKING OUT.

WHEN IT COMES TO STATE'S RIGHTS THE LAW IN UTAH IS CLEAR.

MARRIED COUPLES MAY ADOPT AND FOSTER CHILDREN.

AND THE COUPLE IN THIS CASE ARE LEGALLY MARRIED.

>> AND LATE THIS WEEK, THE JUDGE REVERSED HIS ORDER.

YOUR REACTION?

>> A BIG RELIEF.

I'M SURE THIS IS A RELIEF FOR THE FAMILY THIS BABY WILL GET TO STAY WHERE SHE IS.

AND THE CHILDREN IN THE STATE WILL BE CONTINUING TO BE PLACED IN LOVING FAMILIES.

SIGH OF RELIEF.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @BONNIEERBE.

FROM FOSTER CARE TO YOUNG WOMEN... A RECORD PERCENTAGE OF YOUNG WOMEN AGES 18-34 ARE LIVING WITH THEIR FAMILIES MORE THAN AT ANY POINT SINCE THE 1940s.

A PEW REPORT FINDS ONE-THIRD OF YOUNG WOMEN LIVE WITH A PARENT OR PARENTS OR RELATIVES.

COMPARED TO THE YOUNG WOMEN OF THE 40s WOMEN TODAY ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO FOREGO EARLY MARRIAGE AND GO TO COLLEGE.

THE YOUNG WOMEN IN SUCH LIVING SITUATIONS FELL FROM 1940 UNTIL 1960.

IT HAS BEEN SLOWLY REBOUNDING EVER SINCE BEFORE SHOOTING UP DURING THE GREAT RECESSION.

THE RATE OF YOUNG MEN GOING BACK HOME GREW AS WELL TO JUST ABOVE 40% BUT THE RATE HAS NOT SURPASSED THE HIGH OF 48% IN THE 1940s.

WELCOME SAM WE HAVE MISSED YOU.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

WHY IS EVERYBODY MOVING HOME?

>> REMEMBER I HAVE A PHD IN RAISING DAUGHTERS.

BOTH THROUGH COLLEGE AND GRANDCHILDREN AND THE WHOLE NINE YARDS I WOULD PUT MY FINGER ON STUDENT DEBT.

THE FACT THAT ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS RACHEL HAD A STUDENT LOAN.

THE BANK SHALL GO UNNAMED THAT REQUIRED HER TO PAY $600 A MONTH WITH NO FORGIVENESS AT ALL.

AND WE BLAME OURSELVES.

WE MADE THIS ASSUMPTION THAT THE SAME STUDENT LOANS THAT WE HAD ACCESS TO BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE MONEY, WE BOTH WORKED THROUGH SCHOOL AND GRADUATE SCHOOL.

THAT WE ASSUMED THAT THE STUDENT LOANS OUT THERE IN THE MARKETPLACE WERE THE SAME WE HAD.

NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.

THAT IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST REASON.

>> WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

>> THE DIFFERENCE IS THERE ARE STUDENT LOANS IN THE MARKETPLACE AND THE CONGRESSWOMAN HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE ISSUE.

OK, YOU ARE GRADUATED PAY UP.

THERE IS NO FOREBEAR REPS OR FEDERAL UNDERWRITING WITH IT AT ALL.

>> BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF FRAUD WITH THE STUDENT LOANS PEOPLE I KNEW WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE PEOPLE WHO DID NOT NEED STUDENT LOANS TAKING THEM OUT SO THEY COULD PAY AND THAT -- PAY FOR COLLEGE ON CREDIT -- >> THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE I WOULD PUT MY FINGER ON THAT AS THE REAP FOR BALLOONING STUDENT DEBT AND THE BIGGEST REASON OF DEFAULT AND WOMEN ARE STAYING HOME.

>> WHAT RATES ARE THEY GETTING?

>> AWFUL.

I CREATED A BINDER WITH ALL THE THINGS FOR BOTH MY DAUGHTERS WE ASSUMED A LOT OF DEBT BUT WE FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO HAVE A PART OF IT.

IT WAS STARTLING.

I CO-SIPED ON A LOAN THAT WAS 8% IN THIS LOW INTEREST ENVIRONMENT?

DID I DO THAT?

IN TRUTH I PLAME BLAME BY SELF, BUYER BEWARE.

I LOVE WHAT ELIZABETH WARREN HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT STUDENT DEBT AND BOTH MY DAUGHTERS NEITHER CAME HOME THEY BOTH SURVIVED.

ONE IN SILICON VALLEY AND THE OTHER IN NEW YORK CITY WITH THE HIGHEST RENTS IN THE COUNTRY.

AND I'M PROUD OF THEM.

THEY BOTH MADE IT.

I THINK STUDENT LOANS ARE THE BIGGEST CULPRIT.

>> AS SOMEONE THAT WENT HOME AFTER COLLEGE WITHOUT A JOB.

I NEEDED THE COACHING THAT MY PARENTS PROVIDED I NEEDED THE SUPPORT FINANCIAL FOR THE SHORT-TERM AND I THINK IT WAS A POSITIVE THING.

PEOPLE ARE BAFFLED, WE ARE RETURNING TO THE NUMBERS OF THE 1940s AND THE MILLENNIAL WOMEN, I DO NOT THINK IT IS SURPRISING THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH JOBS OUT THERE.

THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND I GRADUATED COLLEGE A DECADE AGO.

PEOPLE SAY THE ECONOMY HAS GOTTEN BETTER IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS IT HAS NOT MADE A DIFFERENCE AND WE ARE SEEING THE NUMBERS RETURN TO 40%.

IT IS A POSITIVE THING THAT WOMEN ARE STAYING AT HOME TO GET HELP AND PADDING BEFORE THEY GO OUT AND HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE HIGH RENTS SUCH AS WASHINGTON AREA.

AND I DON'T THINK IT IS A BAD THING.

WE ARE DELAYING MARRIAGE.

REMEMBER THAT.

THAT IS A HUGE REASON.

MILLENNIAL WOMEN WE BELIEVE IN THE ONE AND WE'LL WAIT FOR THE ONE.

WE WON'T SETTLE.

>> YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> THERE ARE ALSO A LOT OF NONECONOMIC REASONS WOMEN ARE STAYING HOME.

SCIENTISTS SAY THERE IS A NEW PHASE BETWEEN ADOLESENCE AND ADULTHOOD AND THAT PHASE IS CALLED THE ODYSSEY AND IT TAKES PLACE IN THE 20s AND IT'S A PERIOD OF EXPLORATION.

WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE TRY TO FIND THEMSELVES.

AND THIS NEVER HAPPENED IN THE PAST.

BUT WE HAVE PEOPLE NOW LIKE CHERYL SANDBURG WHO KEEP IMPRESSING UPON YOUNG WOMEN THIS IDEA THAT CAREER PATH SHOULD BE A JUNGLE GYM AND NOT A LADDER.

SO THAT PERIOD OF EXPLORATION ACCOUNTS FOR THE NEW TREND OF YOUNG WOMEN STAYING HOME.

>> THE WAY I WAS RAISED I REMEMBER THINKING IF YOU DIDN'T MAKE SOME BIG STRIDES IN YOUR 20s, TO WHERE YOU WANTED TO GO YOU WITH RESPECT'S GOING TO GET THERE.

AND IT'S JUST AS TRUE FOR WOMEN AS IT IS FOR MEN.

>> I APPRECIATE THE POINTS THAT RINA WAS MAKING.

WE SHOULD NOT DESPISE THE FAMILY CONNECTIONS.

AND WE CAN LEARN FROM OTHER CULTURES AND THEIR INTERGENERATIONAL LIVING AND COMMUNICATIONS.

THE DEGREE THAT HIGHER ED IS CONTRIBUTING TO IT I WOULD GO TO THE COST OF COLLEGE TO BEGIN WITH.

AND IS HIGHER ED PANELED AS IT IS NOW WITH THE COST THAT IT'S AT IS THAT SERVING WOMEN WELL?

>> IT'S NOT SERVING ANYBODY WELL.

IT IS RIDICULOUS BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?

>> YOU CAN UN ADVERTISE IT DIFFERENTLY.

AND ALLOW PEOPLE TO GET CREDITS FROM DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS MAKE THEM COMPETE FOR YOUR DOLLAR.

AND LET WOMEN TIME THAT ON THEIR LIFE CYCLE ACCORDING TO THE RELATIONSHIPS THEY WANT TO HAVE MAYBE THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE DELAYING MARRIAGE AS MUCH.

LET WOMEN ORGANIZE THEIR HIGHER EDUCATION AROUND THEIR COMMITMENTS AND DESIRES.

>> JUMP IN AS A PARENT, I HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING I DO NOT DISAGREE.

I CAME FROM NOTHING AND I WOULD PUT ANY STATE SCHOOL I WANTED TO AND I GOT FREE TUITION BUT GOING THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE BEING IN THE WORKFORCE THAT MY DAUGHTERS WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER SERVED IF THEY HAD A PRIVATE COLLEGE DEGREE.

I FELT THAT FIRMLY.

WE KNEW WE HAD THE INCOME TO SUPPORT THAT DECISION THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IS THE ONLY OPTION.

BUT BOTH OF YOU SAID SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT.

THIS GENERATION IS ALL ABOUT FAMILY CONNECTIONS WAY MORE THAN WE WERE.

AND I NOTICE THIS WITH MY CHILDREN AND HOW MUCH WE ARE INVOLVED IN THEIR LIVES.

SO I AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT POINT.

>> BEHIND THE HEADLINES THE MOVIE PLAYING IN THEATERS IS ABOUT WOMEN'S STRUGGLE FOR THE VOTE BUT NOT THE AMERICAN STORY IT IS ABOUT SUFFRAGETTES IN THE U.K.. WE SPOKE WITH THE DIRECTOR ABOUT HER JOURNEY TO TELL THIS STORY.

>> I WRITED WHEN WE WENT INTO THE MALE EXECUTIVES TO SELL IT THIS IS A MOVIE WITH EXPLOSIONS TO CONVINCE THEM IT WAS WORTH MAKING.

THE MOMENTUM BEHIND FEMINISM THAT WE ARE IN THE MOMENT OF PEOPLE RECLAIMING AND TALKING ABOUT FETCH NICHE AND MEN AND WOMEN IN THE U.K.

THERE IS A NEW ACTIVISM.

>> THE FILM IS SET IN LONDON DURING THE EARLY 19-TEEN'S.

THE DIRECTOR WANTED TO MAKE THIS FILM BECAUSE THE BRITISH SUFFRAGETTE MOVEMENT IS A LARGELY UNTOLD STORIMENT A FOOTNOTE IN HISTORY BOOKS.

>> WE READ ACCOUNTS OF WOMEN WHO SACRIFICED THEY LOSED JOBS AND HOMES AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR FAMILY AND CHILDREN WOULD GET TAKEN AWAY AND THEY HAD NO PARENTAL RIGHTS.

WOMEN HAD NO RIGHTS OF THEIR CHILDREN AT ALL IN THAT PERIODMENT.

>> AND THIS WAS NOT A PEACEFUL REVOLT.

>> THERE IS A INSTANT BLACK FRIDAY WHERE THE GOVERNMENT ORDERED THE POLICE TO BRUTALLY ATTACKED THE WOMEN AND THEY THREW THEM TO THE GROUND AND FORCE FED THEM AND ALSO CONVERSELY, THE WOMEN STARTED TO COMMIT CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE.

AND THEN THEY TURNED GRADUALLY TO CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE SMASHING WINDOWS AND PLACES EXPLOSIVES IN HOMES.

AND NEVER TARGETED HUMAN LIFE BUT THEY DID ATTACK PROPERTY.

>> THE MOVIE SHOWS A TIME LINE.

ACTOR AND ADVOCATE MERRILL MERRILLMERYL STREEPPLAYS THE LEADER OF THE MOVIE.

>> MERYL STREEP IS EXTRAORDINARY SHE IS DOWN TO EARTH.

I THOUGHT I WOULD BE INTIMIDATED BUT SHE DOESN'T ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN.

SHE SHOWED UP FOR THE ONE SEQUENCE AND VERY GENEROUSLY SPENT A NIGHT DOING OFF SCREEN VOICE STUFF SO PEOPLE HAD SOMETHING TO RESPOND TO.

AND SHE HAS BEEN A GREAT AMBASSADOR FOR THE FILM BECAUSE SHE IS AN ADVOCATE AND SHE IS A TIRELESS CAMPAIGNER.

WHEN WE HAVE BREAKS DOING PRESS SHE WILL BE RIGHT IN GNAWED.

>> SARAH GAVRON KNOWS ABOUT INEQUALITY IN THE MOVIE INDUSTRY BUT WANTED HER MOVIE TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON SCREEN AND OFF SCREEN, TOO.

>> FILMS BY WOMEN AND ABOUT WOMEN OFTEN MADE [INAUDIBLE] AND MORE LIKE 1%.

ON THIS WE HAD A FEMALE TWO PRODUCER A WRITER, ME AS DIRECTOR AND A WHOLE TEAM OF FEMALE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND WOMEN IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA.

IT WAS REVERSING THE BALANCE.

>> IN A BUSINESS WHERE BOX OFFICE IS KING, WILL THE STORY BE A COMMERCIAL SUCCESS?

>> UNPRECEDENTED NUMBERS OF WOMEN HAVE BEEN GOING.

GRANDMOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS AND GRANDDAUGHTERS GOING TOGETHER AND ALSO SAYING THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING I WILL NEVER NOT USE MY VOTE AGAIN.

I THINK IT NOT ONLY GOT A MESSAGE ABOUT INEQUALITY BUT GENERAL INEQUALITY.

>> SO WILL THE SHOW SUCCEED AT THE BOX OFFICE IN THE U.S.?

>> IT'S HARD TO TELL.

ARE PEOPLE INTERESTED IN SEEING A MOVIE THAT IS ABOUT THE SUBJECT OF WOMEN?

OUR MOVEMENT?

I'M NOT SURE.

BUT IT SHEDS LIGHT ON AN IMPORTANT, IMPORTANT THING WE NEED TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD WHEN IT COMES TO WOMEN'S REPRESENTATION.

WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY BUT NOT FAR ENOUGHMENT AND MANY THINGS NEED TO HAPPEN IN THE COMING YEARS I'M PROUD TO BE PART OF REPRESENTATION 2020, LOOKING TO ACHIEVE GENDER PARITY BY THAT YEAR.

WE NEED MORE WOMEN IN OFFICE REPRESENTING THE DEMOGRAPHIC.

>> I WAS SURPRISED MY HUSBAND SUGGESTED THAT WE GO SEE IT.

AND I WAS RECOVERING FROM A TRIP TO AFRICA.

SO I DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ENERGY BUT I THINK WE ARE GOING TO GO SEE IT THIS WEEKEND.

WILL OTHER MEN WANT TO SEE IT?

>> MY HUSBAND IS ABOUT IT BUT HE IS A BIG HILLY SUPPORTER.

-- HILLARY SUPPORTERSMENT YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.

WOMEN GOT THE RIGHT TO VOTE, IT TOOK 150 YEARS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMIND PEOPLE IT TOOK THAT LONG.

BUT WE HAVE NOT STEPPED UP TO RUN FOR OFFICE OURSELVES.

AND THE CHASM THAT WE HAVE WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH REPUBLICAN WOMEN RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

YOU HAVE HAD A SLOW INCREASE OF DEMOCRATIC WOMEN, WE HAVE THAT BEEN.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOVIE.

>> WHY IS THAT?

BECAUSE LIKE THERE IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY RIGHT NOW THE LEADERSHIP IS NOT AT ALL HAPPY WITH THE TWO FRONTRUNNERS IN THE PRESIDENTIAL POLLS THEY WANT MORE STOCKED TYPICAL CANDIDATES, CANDIDATES THAT HAVE HELD ELECTIVE OFFICE BEFORE BUT -- HOW IS IT FILTERING TO WOMEN?

>> THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE, I THINK THERE'S TWO THINGS.

ONE IS THE DEMOCRATS FOR WHATEVER REASON HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN DOING MORE SO THE CONTRAST IS WHAT YOU SEE.

BACK IN 1974 WE HAD AN EQUAL NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC WOMEN SERVING.

AND SINCE THEN YOU HAVE HAD A SLOW GAIN BY THE DEMOCRATS AND A LITTLE BIT GAIN BY THE REPUBLICANS AND A DOWNWARD SPIRAL GOING ON.

AND THERE IS A CONTRAST.

THE DEMOCRATS LOOK AT EMILY'S LIST AND SUSAN B. ANTHONY FUND ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

THE OTHER ISSUE, IS THERE'S THINGS AFOOT ON THE STATE LEVEL WHERE DEMOCRATS SEEM TO BE DOING A BETTER JOB OF RECRUITING WOMEN TO RUN.

AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS THE BENCH FOR U.S. CONGRESS.

THE ISSUE IS MORE AN ISSUE OF CONTRAST.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT BOTH OF THE WOMEN RUN FOR ELECTED OFFICE.

[LAUGHTER] >> BUT WILL THIS MOVIE SPUR MORE REPUBLICAN WOMEN?

>> I THINK IT WILL SPUR CONVERSATION AND IN AMERICA, THE SUFFRAGETTES WERE REPUBLICAN.

>> IT'S INTERESTING THE PRO-LIFE HISTORY OF THE SUFFRAGETTE MOVEMENT.

SUSAN B. ANTHONY LIST EXISTS TO BRING WOMEN INTO STATE-WIDE AND FEDERAL OFFICE.

SO THERE IS A DEEP HISTORY THERE.

SHE WAS CLOSE TO FREDERICK DOUGLAS AND HELPED THE BLACK VOTE ALONG.

JUST I LOVE THE LINE IN THE INTERVIEW THAT I WILL NEVER NOT USE MY VOTE AGAIN.

THAT IS TREMENDOUS THAT WE HAVE A SENSE OF STEWARDSHIP OF WHAT WE'VE RECEIVED AND THAT WE ALLOW FOR THE DIVERSITY OF WOMEN'S VOICES.

THAT IS IMPORTANT.

WE DON'T SAY THERE'S ONE WOMEN'S POSITION.

THERE IS A DIVERSITY.

>> THIS MOVIE IS GOING TO DO WELL BECAUSE THERE IS A HUNGER TO LEARN WOMEN'S STORIES AND HISTORY.

CONGRESSMAN CAROL MALONE ANY PUSHED FOR A WOMEN'S MUSEUM COMMEMORATING OUR HISTORY IN THE CAPITAL.

AND THE STORY OF ALICE PAUL IS VERY SIGNIFICANT AND IS JUST COMING TO THE FOREFRONT RIGHT NOW AND SHE LEARNED ALL OF HER TACTICS FROM THE BRITISH SUFFRAGETTES AND BROUGHT IT TO AMERICA AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> GO WATCH YOUR HISTORY IN THE MAKING ON THE MOVIE SCREEN THIS WEEKEND.

THAT IS IT FOR THIS EDITION.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE, PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY AND WHETHER YOU AGREE OR THINK TO THE CONTRARY, SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

[♪♪♪] FOR A TRANSCRIPT OR TO SEE AN ON-LINE VERSION OF THIS EPISODE OF TO THE CONTRARY VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.

[♪♪♪]