Freeheld

Freeheld is a 2007 documentary film directed by Cynthia Wade. It chronicles the story of Laurel Hester in her fight against the Ocean County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders to give her earned pension benefits to her partner, Stacie. On February 24, 2008, it won the Academy Award for Best Short Documentary. The documentary also won a Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007.

The film opens at a meeting of the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Ocean County, New Jersey. Ocean County resident and New Jersey police officer Lieutenant Laurel Hester has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, and expected to live only another year, she wishes to pass on her pension to her domestic partner of five years, Stacie Andree. Although New Jersey counties have the option to extend pension benefits to domestic partners, Ocean County Freeholders will not do this. In protest, the states LGBT civil rights organization, Garden State Equality, organizes hundreds of people to speak out at each of the Freeholders meetings. The crowds Garden State Equality organizes get bigger and more vociferous at each meeting.Among those speaking out are Laurels police colleagues and Ocean County residents, describing Laurelsyears of exemplary work for the police department, and petitioning the Freeholders to allow her to pass on her pension to Stacie. Laurels first police partner, Dane Wells, speaks about her and compares the situation to separate drinking fountains and seats at the back of the bus. Freeholder Joseph Vicari says that although they are anguished by Laurels case, they are unable to change things because of state legislature and moves for an adjournment. The members of the public present are unhappy with this decision and some begin to chant Its in your power. ........

Source: Wikipedia