April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse, a couple from Hazel Park, Michigan, face legal obstacles in their quest to adopt their four children. Initially seeking joint custody, they are advised by a federal judge to challenge Michigan's same-sex marriage ban instead. Their legal team, which includes attorneys Carole Stanyar and Dana Nessel, amends their lawsuit, leading to a significant case that contributes to the U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. Mandi Wright documents their five-year struggle.

Deep Dive

Why Watch

Meet April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse, pivotal LGBTQ activists.
Follow their legal battle against Michigan's same-sex marriage ban.
See how personal experiences drive activism and legal change.

Did You Know

April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse adopted four children before filing their lawsuit.
The couple's case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, impacting marriage equality nationwide.
Dana Nessel, one of their lawyers, is now the first openly gay Michigan Attorney General.

Perfect For

LGBTQ rightsLegal battlesFamily lawActivism stories

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who directed the documentary Accidental Activists?

Mandi Wright directed the documentary Accidental Activists.

What legal issue did April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse challenge in Michigan?

April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse challenged Michigan's same-sex marriage ban and the state's adoption law that prevented them from joint custody of their children.

When did Accidental Activists premiere?

Accidental Activists premiered on April 2, 2016, at the Freep Film Festival.

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Freep Film Festival

2016 • Official selection

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Accidental Activists

Synopsis

People

Synopsis

Why Watch

Did You Know

Perfect For

Who directed the documentary Accidental Activists?

What legal issue did April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse challenge in Michigan?

When did Accidental Activists premiere?

Awards & Festivals

Awards & Festivals

Comments

What are people saying?

Play More Like This

Political Animals

Lessons From The Gay Altar

The Wedding Heard ’Round the World: America’s First Gay Marriage

Love and Justice: Edith Windsor talks with Ariel Levy

Her Mothers: The Realities Of Same-Sex Adoption

Child's Transition "Awakened" the Mom

Good News: LGBT Victory! Bad News: Executed for Dozing While Black

Why Was Ireland's YES Campaign So Successful?

The State of Marriage LGBTQ Rights, Same Sex Marriage Supreme Court

Gay Marriage And The Battle For The Methodist Church

A Pregnant Trans Man Faced His Greatest Fear During Childbirth

Beauty Queen For Human Rights

Explore Accidental Activists

Where else to watch

Political Animals

The State of Marriage

For They Know Not What They Do

Church & State

The Case Against 8

Saving Marriage

Come See Me in the Good Light

A Lei e o Medo

Put the Camera on Me

Browse more like this

Her Mothers: The Realities Of Same-Sex Adoption

Pursuit of Equality

Tying the Knot

Rights and Reactions: Lesbian & Gay Rights on Trial

Let No One Put Asunder: The Legal Recognition of Same Sex Marriage in Canada

Related Films

Is this your film?

Awards & Festivals