When We Rise

A young peace activist escapes his repressive life in Phoenix and heads to San Francisco, hoping to find refuge and community. Instead, he finds that the struggle for survival is just as difficult as it was back home.

Ostracised after coming out, or being outed, Cleve Jones, Ken Jones, Roma Guy and Diane leave everything they know to seek safe harbour in San Francisco, where they join the burgeoning LGBTQ movement.

Cleve, Ken and Roma band together to fight Proposition 6, which would ban homosexuals and their allies from working in public schools. Roma's ex announces she is going to have a baby and Cleve works on Harvey Milk's campaign.

Cleve, Ken and Richard each contract AIDS, which is ravaging the gay community. Diane and Roma look for the father of Diane's daughter.

Cleve, Ken and Richard each contract AIDS, which is ravaging the gay community. Diane and Roma look for the father of Diane's daughter.

Cleve organises a march on Washington DC to protest California's Proposition 8. Roma uses her past experiences to fight for health care in San Francisco. Ken seeks Cecilia Chung's help in getting the city to fund a meal programme for a church.