Lez Keep It Real

First let me apologize for my absence on Friday. I had a lot going on and couldn’t muster up the energy to post. But I’m back and feeling rejuvenated. Let’s get to it.

Did you watch the Oscars last night?

I did … sort of. There was a Law & Order SVU marathon on USA. So I was flipping back and forth. Watching the Oscars is a very “gay” thing to do. And I wanted to do my part. But, let’s be honest. Only 30 minutes of the Oscars are relevant. The rest is all smoke and mirrors. That’s why they save the “big” awards for the end — they want you to sit through the entire broadcast. I chose to sit through hours of Mariska Hargitay instead. Yummy.

Besides catching Daniel Day Lewis win yet another Oscar and watching the Cohen brothers mill about on stage in an almost arrogant aloofness, I flipped back to the Hollywood elitist broadcast to see something amazing happen. And it had nothing to do with John Stewart or Jack Nicholson.

(Hollywood, California) A documentary film on the struggle by New Jersey police officer Laurel Hester’s struggle to have her domestic partner recognized as her next of kin has won an Academy Award.

“Freeheld: The Laurel Hester Story” was directed and produced by filmmaker Cynthia Wade. The award was presented Sunday night at the 80th Annual Academy Awards, held at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles.

“We are thrilled that this powerful film, one that has the potential to change hearts and minds concerning fairness for gay couples, has been honored,” said Neil Giuliano president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. “We congratulate Cynthia Wade on her achievement and say ’bravo’ to the Academy for their selection.”

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. (story)

“Freeheld: The Laurel Hester Story,” premiered last year at the Sundance Film Festival.

Wade said that she promised Hester she would submit the film for consideration for an Academy Award.

Garden State Equality which had lobbied freeholders on Hester’s behalf held an Oscar party in New Jersey to watch the awards presentation. Members let out a cheer when the award was presented to “Freeheld”.

Garden State Equality chair Steven Goldstein said the film should spur on state lawmakers to amend the civil union law to provide for full marriage for same-sex couples.

“Because of the failure of the civil union law, there are new Laurel Hesters all across New Jersey,” said Goldstein.

” Same-sex couples denied equal benefits by employers, struggling to make ends meet, struggling to maintain their dignity, in the face of a civil union law that segregates, discriminates and humiliates.”

Last week a government commission released a report saying the civil union law had failed to provide the same equality as marriage. ~365gay.com

How wonderful is it that an issue like this was brought such national attention. Forget national attention even, more like international attention with the amount of people who watch the Oscars worldwide. I’m hoping people will take notice and watch this little documentary, because this “little” documentary has “big” things to say. These types of situations happen so often and they literally break my heart.

If you have a heart, yours should be breaking to. If you have a conscious, you can understand why. And if you have no idea what I’m talking about, shame on you.

the oscars, 365 gay.com, why do gay couples always get the shaft, figuratively speaking of course