Watch Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement

Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement is an incredibly unique and powerful documentary that tells the love story of two women, Edie Windsor and Thea Spyer, who were a couple for over 40 years. Edie and Thea's relationship began in the early 1960s, long before society was accepting of same-sex couples. Despite the challenges they faced, they remained committed to one another and would eventually become trailblazers in the fight for LGBTQ rights. The film begins with Edie and Thea getting ready for their wedding ceremony in 2007, which at the time was only recognized in Canada. From there, it jumps back in time to when the two first met and fell in love. Through a combination of interviews with Edie and Thea, as well as archival footage and photographs, we see their relationship unfold before us. One of the most striking things about this documentary is the sheer amount of love that Edie and Thea had for each other. Even in moments of hardship, they remained deeply committed to one another. Their love story is truly remarkable and serves as a reminder that, no matter who you are or who you love, all relationships deserve respect, recognition, and legal protections. Of course, their love story is also set against the backdrop of the LGBTQ rights movement. As two women in a committed relationship, Edie and Thea faced more obstacles than most couples. They were forced to hide their relationship from their families and faced discrimination from society as a whole. The documentary does an excellent job of contextualizing their relationship within the larger struggle for LGBTQ equality. One of the most emotional moments of the documentary comes towards the end when we see Edie fighting for her own right to marry Thea in the United States. In 2013, after Thea had passed away, Edie went to the Supreme Court to challenge the Defense of Marriage Act. The documentary doesn't show how the case ultimately plays out (no spoilers!), but we do get to see some of the arguments being made in front of the justices. It's a powerful reminder of the impact that Edie and Thea's love story had on the fight for LGBTQ rights. Overall, Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement is a beautiful and moving documentary. It's a celebration of love, but it's also a call to action. The film reminds us that the fight for equality is not yet won, and that we all have a role to play in making society a more inclusive and accepting place.