19 February 2006
Lt. Laurel Hester, R.I.P.
Ocean County, NJ, police officer, Lt. Laurel Hester, passed away yesterday. She was the one whose dying desire to transfer her pension to her partner, Stacie Andree, led to controversy: First the county governing body denied the request, then under public pressure changed their minds.
This story at T.P.M. Cafe discusses how the coming-out stories of people in tragic situations have made a difference in the legal standing for gay and lesbian people. It shouldn't take a tragedy for the larger community to do the right thing, and it's our telling our stories in all situations that is really making a difference for LGB rights in the USA (or at least preventing a massive rollback).
This story at T.P.M. Cafe discusses how the coming-out stories of people in tragic situations have made a difference in the legal standing for gay and lesbian people. It shouldn't take a tragedy for the larger community to do the right thing, and it's our telling our stories in all situations that is really making a difference for LGB rights in the USA (or at least preventing a massive rollback).
