■ Police Lt. Laurel Hester and her life-partner Stacie Andree. Still from “Freeheld” courtesy Sundance Film Festival

PARK CITY, December 9, 2006 – A documentary film chronicling the fight of a dying police lieutenant to be able to leave her pension to her same-sex partner has been selected to be shown at next month’s 25th Sundance Film Festival.

Stricken with terminal cancer, Lt. Laurel Hester wanted to leave her pension benefits to her life partner Stacie Andree, so Stacie could afford to keep their house. Laurel was told last year by local ‘Freeholders’ in New Jersey that it was not possible – they are not husband and wife.

So, after spending a lifetime fighting for justice for other people, Laurel – a veteran New Jersey detective – launches a final battle for justice.

And as the world knows, the gutsy cop won her battle against the local politicians on January 21, 2006  – but then lost her battle against cancer less than a month later on February 18.  She was 49, and was a 23-year veteran of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

Documentary filmmaker Cynthia Wade filmed Lt. Hester’s bitter fight against politicians to provide for the “lover of her life”, Stacie.

The documentary ‘short’ is to get its world premier at Sundance – and will have a total of five screenings.

Titled “Freeheld”, the film is one of eight from the United States selected in the short documentary category by Sundance – there are an additional four international titles.

“This is fantastic news,” said Ms. Wade on learning that her film had been selected. “We are madly trying to finish the film now, and trying to raise the final funds.”

■ Cynthia Wade is a documentary filmmaker and videographer who has worked for HBO, PBS, Cinemax, Discovery, MTV, A&E, Oxygen, TNT, AMC, and The History Channel, as well as many nonprofit and corporate clients.

SEE ALSO

Lt. Laurel Hester's impassioned video message to the Ocean County ‘Freeholders’  (Garden State Equality), January 18, 2006)

Straight Man Appeals for Justice for Dying Lesbian Cop.  Commentary.  Dane Wells, who describes himself as a “run-of-the-mill, middle-aged straight guy”, is not very happy with the movers and shakers of his local community, Ocean County in New Jersey.  The retired policeman is angry because Ocean County will not extend “domestic partner benefits” to a former colleague, Lt. Laurel Hester, who is terminally ill with lung cancer - and is gay.  (UK Gay News, November 26, 2005)

Laurel’s Legacy: A Quest for Gay Justice in New Jersey, by Dane Wells.  For nearly half a century now, I have been proud to call myself an Ocean County native.  Among the many highlights of my life have been the years I spent in law enforcement with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, where I worked alongside Lt. Laurel Hester.  (UK Gay News, November 26, 2005)

LINKS

“Freeheld” website
Cynthia Wade website
Sundance Film Festival 2007 website