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It's really very hard to form a

domestic partnership, actually.

- Harder than marriage.

- Nothing's harder than marriage.

Bryan.

The law you're talking about

violates the sanctity of marriage.

It offends traditional

values and, in this county,

that's political suicide.

She's dying.

Yes. And that's a personal tragedy,

and we deal in public policy here.

- But...

- I move that we deny

Detective Hester's request.

We should wish her the best

and tell her she's in our prayers.

All right. All in favor?

Yes.

Bryan?

I'll abstain.

We like our decisions to have

the authority of a unanimous vote.

It's been our tradition for 150 years.

Yes.

Good.

The technician said, um,

"that you just suck in and hold

the medicine in your

lungs as long as you can."

Okay.

Are you okay?

Uh, we're in the middle of treatment.

So...

Dane.

It's okay. Come in.

That's my sister Lyndy.

Lyndy, that's Dane.

- Hey.

- Hey.

Well, they turned you down, Laurel.

And then they buried the decision

in the back of the paper.

Yeah, I saw.

Well, I just wanted you to know.

I'm not happy about it.

- Yeah, thanks.

- Laurel, treatment.

There's one other thing we could try.

What's that?

These guys are terrified of controversy.

If you go to one of their meetings...

You mean in person? Make a speech?

Make a request.

Laurel.

They have a public meeting every two weeks.

In front of everyone?

Yeah, so then everyone knows our business?

I mean who are these people?

They're the local government.

They run Ocean County.

It's gonna be a lot harder

for them to shoot you down

if you go in there face-to-face

and ask for what you got coming to you.

You deserve it.

Laurel, do the treatment.

I gotta go to work.

Okay. Okay.

This whole pension thing

is a waste of time. Okay?

She's not gonna need it

'cause she's gonna get better.

Can you stop bothering

us with this bullshit?

This is so hard for her.

Laurel, you gotta go to

one of these meetings.

It's the only thing that could work.

My relationship to the patient is partner.

I've been through this with you.

This bill from Sloan Kettering for $900.

I know that some members of the public

have questioned the cost

for the parking meters.

But after careful review,

we think it would be

the best thing for the community.

So, motion to approve the new meters?

So moved.

- How do you vote?

- Yes.

- Yes.

- Yes.

- Are you okay?

- Yes.

Motion's passed.

Don Bennett is here.

Hey, sis.

Who's that?

He's a reporter.

Is he gonna write about this?

Yeah, probably.

Well, that takes care of

all the items on our agenda.

Hi. There's a seat there.

And unless anyone has any more questions,

we will call this meeting to a close.

Yes?

Good afternoon, Freeholders.

You have a question

about the parking meters?

No. Uh,

my name is Detective Laurel Hester.

- Hopefully you remember me from...

- Oh, of course. I'm sorry.

I didn't recognize you. Hello.

I've worked for the Ocean County

Police Department for 23 years.

And I'm here today with my partner,

Stacie Andree.

In my career,

I've been shot at, dragged by a car,

clubbed, beaten, punched and kicked,

but I've always come out on top.

I've never been afraid of injury or death

while performing my duties.

That's the job, and I love my job.

Recently, I was diagnosed

with stage-four lung cancer.

Although radiation has shrunk the tumors,

my chances for survival

remain less than 10%.

It's possible I've finally

met an opponent I can't beat.

Please reconsider your decision,

and grant my request to assign

my pension benefits to Stacie,

making it possible for her

to stay in our home when I'm gone.

When my heterosexual colleagues die,

their pensions go to their spouses.

But because my partner is a woman,

I don't get to do that.

In my 23 years as a police officer,

I've never asked for special treatment.

I'm only asking for equality.

Thank you.

We commend you for your

service to the county.

You're a valuable and trusted employee.

Agreed.

Thank you.

My colleagues and I, we've

anguished over your situation.

But benefits for county employees

are part of a negotiated

contractual settlement.

And we just can't reopen negotiations...

She gave you 23 years of service.

You're out of order, Dane.

God bless you. This meeting is adjourned.

Hey.

No, no, no.

Detective Hester, how about an interview?

Not today.

Please leave us alone.

Listen.

I'll set up an interview

if you promise to put her

story on the front page.

- Done.

- Yeah?

Did you see those guys squirm?

No one ever questions them about anything.

Well, they should.

My partner spends her

life fighting for justice.

They deny justice to her.

That, that is great.

Dane Wells.

This is Steven Goldstein

from Garden State Equality.

I just wanted to call to tell you

that we are all outraged

about what's happening to Laurel Hester.

And we would like to help.

Okay.

What these Freeholders are

doing is unconscionable.

We need to let them know

that either they reverse their decision,

or there are going to be consequences.

They've never reversed a decision.

They have never met me before.

Their next meeting, we show

up with a hundred protesters.

Gay cops. Gay attorneys.

A priest. A rabbi.

I know a couple gay grandmothers.

Maybe we organize a gay pride parade.

You mean a bunch of bare-chested men

in leather marching down Main Street?

We show them that we are a

force to be reckoned with.

In this county there are

a quarter million senior citizens,

registered Republicans.

You're gonna turn them all against Laurel.

I appreciate your perspective.

I ran Corzine's senate campaign in 2000,

so I know what I'm doing.

Okay, Steve. But I know this community.

It's Steven, with a "V."

As in, very gay.

And when people disrespect

my gay brothers and sisters,

I rain terror on them. Shock and awe.

Shock and awe.

And, sweetheart, I am going to need you

to be available for interviews.

Lots and lots of interviews.

This is gonna be a national news story.

Steven, it seems to me that you're using

my case to promote your cause.

Gay marriage.

That is exactly what I'm doing.

This is the case that

I've been waiting for.

That I've been dreaming of.

This is going to put this issue

in the national spotlight,

is going to turn the tide for gay marriage.

My fight is not about marriage.

It's about equality.

It's about a cop getting

the benefits she deserves...

Not about marriage? Are you kidding me?

I'm sorry.

I just... I'm very passionate about this.

If you were married

and not this bullshit, second-class citizen

domestic partner crap, but married,

there wouldn't be an issue.

Stacie would be entitled to your benefits.

Hell, if you and I got married tomorrow,

I'd be entitled to your benefits.

Is that a proposal?

Oh, honey, I'll marry you.

But I wouldn't know what

to do with your vagina.

Oh, my God.

I just don't want this

whole political thing

to take over our lives.

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