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Film On
Dying Lesbian Cop's Battle For
DP Rights
Wins Sundance Prize
By
365Gay.com from the Web, January 30, 2007
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Los Angeles, California, Jan
29 -- A documentary film on the struggle by New Jersey police officer Laurel
Hester's struggle to have her domestic partner recognized as he next of kin has
been awarded a Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.
The emotional film produced was Cynthia Wade.
Hester had been a lieutenant with the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.
Diagnosed with terminal cancer she was forced to retire. In late 2005, as
the disease progressed she appealed to the Ocean County, New Jersey freeholders
to give her same-sex partner her death benefits.
Although New Jersey recognized same-sex couples it left it up to local
governments to determine if benefits should be offered the partners of
employees.
After listening to her request, and her concern that when she died her partner,
Stacie Andree, might lose their home, with little discussion the freeholders
rejected the request.
The story was picked up across the country and as pressure mounted on
freeholders she was allowed to make a second plea a month later. Filmmaker
Wade traveled to Ocean County and chronicled the events that followed.
Too ill to appear in person Hester (pictured) appeared via video tape from her
hospital room.
In a frail voice, and often gasping for air, Hester begged for recognition of
her partnership with Andree.
"All I'm asking for is that you sign the resolution and that you make a change,
a change for good, a change for righteousness and a change in the lives of so
many people that have dedicated themselves to county government."
After the moving tape was played a second vote was held and resolution passed.
A month later Hester died.
"Freeheld: The Laurel Hester Story," premiered at Sundance. Speaking
Monday to the Associated Press, Wade said that she promised Hester she would
submit the film for consideration for an Academy Award in 2008.
Even Oscar consideration would give the issue of equality for gay couples more
attention, Wade told the AP.
"This issue is so important to me -- it's so important for me to see equality in
my lifetime," Wade said.
Next month New Jersey will become the third state to legalize civil unions.
Same-sex marriage is legal only in Massachusetts.
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