New Film Shows Importance of Marriage Equality and Same-Gender Partner Benefits

If there's any more real example of why it is urgent and necessary to recognize equal rights for same-sex couples, "For My Wife" is it.  The new film is being released by Trick Dog Films, and captures the story of Charlene Strong, a Washington-state resident who lost her partner, Kate Fleming (a renowned audiobook narrator), in a tragic flooding incident in 2006.  The story is a chilling example of what can happen when a state fails to recognize equal rights for gay and lesbian couples, and an example of how even the most brutal tragedy can yield inspired activism.

Fleming was trapped inside her basement studio during a freakish Seattle flood.  As the water level rose around her, she phoned Charlene Strong for help.  When Strong got home, she tried to rescue her partner, but could not get the door to open.  By the time emergency workers arrived and were able to break into the studio (they had to cut a hole in the bedroom floor and dive down into the basement), Fleming was submerged in water and comatose.

Fleming was rushed to the hospital, with Charlene Strong following close by.  But when Strong got to the hospital, she was told by a social worker that she couldn't enter the emergency room because "only family members were allowed inside."  After an urgent call to a "family member" in Virginia to get permission, Strong was let inside, where she was able to be with her partner.  An hour and a half later, Fleming died.

The next day, Strong attempted to meet with the funeral director who was planning Fleming's arrangements.  He refused, saying, "You don't have any rights in the state of Washington."

The story is just heart-breaking.  Fleming and Strong were together for 10 years, and held a (non-binding) commitment ceremony to symbolize their union.  But in mere moments, a hospital social worker and a funeral director were able to take all of that away.

In the aftermath of her wife's death and the encounters with the hospital and funeral home, Strong became a leader in the fight for equal rights in Washington.  She testified before lawmakers, made her story public, and did countless interviews.  In 2007, when Washington State signed an historic domestic partnership act, Charlene Strong was publicly thanked by Gov. Christine Gregoire for helping make the difference.

And now, Strong's story is captured in the movie, "For My Wife." The trailer appears below.  I can't recommend watching this enough.  The film premiered in Seattle in October (where it won the award for best documentary), and is scheduled to be shown this week at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.  GLAADblog has a posting on their site today about the film, and the film also has a Web site, where you can learn more about Charlene Strong and donate money to support the film's distribution.

This story makes so real why the struggle for equal rights for same-gender couples is a civil rights issue.  Again, check out the trailer below.  And let's hope this film gets screened in as many communities as possible, to demonstrate the urgency behind recognizing marriage equality for all couples.