A Union in Wait is a 2001 American documentary film about same-sex marriage directed by Ryan Butler. It was the first documentary about same-sex marriage to air on national television in the United States.Best "Same Sex Union" Titles Drusch, Andrea (March 17, 2014). Fred Phelps: 10 things to know PoliticoAllen, Bob (March 22, 2019). North Carolina Baptist church ordaining trans woman to gospel ministry Baptist News Global
Summary Susan Parker and Wendy Scott are members of Wake Forest Baptist Church. In 1997 the couple decided they wanted to have a union ceremony in Wake Forest University's Wait Chapel, but the traditionally Baptist university told them no. Susan Parker, Wendy Scott, their church, and many others joined to fight the school's decision in what would become a controversy that divided a community in North Carolina and made national headlines. Eventually (in 2000) Parker and Scott did have the ceremony at the chapel.Burger, Mark (February 23, 2001). Film tackles controversy around same-sex ceremony , Winston-Salem JournalCridlin, Jay (February 8, 2001). Film on same-sex union controversy to debut in Pugh , Old Gold & BlackBland, Elizabeth (February 22, 2001). Film revisits same-sex union controversy , Old Gold & Black(September 26, 2000).Couple 'united' at Wake Forest's Wait Chapel , The Chronicle (Duke University)
The film includes interviews with Andrew Sullivan, Barney Frank, Robert Knight, Jimmy Creech, Fred Phelps, Candace Gingrich, Wake Forest University students, and local ministers. The film was shot primarily in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on the campus of Wake Forest University; but portions of the film were shot in Washington, D.C., at the Millennium March on Washington, Family Research Council headquarters, and Andrew Sullivan's house.
Distribution In 2001, the Sundance Channel licensed the film for television in the United States. A Union In Wait was also shown at numerous festivals around the world and distributed on video by Frameline.(October 21, 2001). Documentary on conflict over gay union being aired , Winston-Salem JournalCovington,Lewis. National Coming Out Day on Sundance , etcetera (Retrieved February 20, 2012, notes film playing on Sundance channel)(February 9, 2001). Same-sex ceremony at WFU subject of documentary film , Winston-Salem JournalAugust 9, 2002. RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - What's showing, The Providence Journal (confirming that film was presented at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in 2002; "A Union in Wait, documentary about a lesbian couple whose attempt to have a union ceremony in a college chapel divided a North Carolina town.")(May 3, 2001). , The Baltimore Sun (confirming presentation of film at Maryland Film Festival in 2001)Jenkins, Mark (October 2001). A Union In Wait (brief review) , Washington City Paper In 2015 Amazon Video made the film available online.
Subsequent developments Susan Parker later served as the associate pastor of Wake Forest Baptist Church.Parker, Susan & Yarber, Angela (February 3, 2012). Opinion: Joining Baptists in defeating NC Amendment One , Associated Baptist Press Ryan Butler worked as a television editor in Washington, D.C., after the release of A Union In Wait for WJLA-TV, National Geographic Channel, and CNN. He was also elected to Washington's Advisory Neighborhood Commission. In 2009 he moved back to North Carolina where he worked for the North Carolina General Assembly.
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