Peter Sollett

Occupation

Filmmaker

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Laurel Hester and Stacie Andree couldn't be more different. While the former is a highly respected New Jersey police detective with decades of experience in the force, the latter is 20 years younger with less of an established career. Hester's always been cautious about relationships due to her struggles with privacy, but she had no idea how much her life would be thrust into the spotlight when she fell for Andree. The couple had barely settled down in beautiful home, wistfully contemplating their future dreams when Hester was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Not only did Andree face losing the love of her life, but also her home and the life they had built together. Straight couples could get married and leave their spouse with their pension benefits after they'd passed, but this privilege is denied to Hester and Andree simply because they are a same-sex couple. With the support of gay Jewish activist named Steven Goldstein, they put their all into achieving equal rights for everyone.

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Laurel Hester is a high-ranking New Jersey police detective who is hugely respected at work. While she never fails to earn recognition for her police services, she also manages to catch the eye of a young woman almost 20 years her senior. Stacie Andree's career is less high-flying but the pair find themselves connecting over their shared idyllic fantasies of a home and true love. However, their dreams are about to be shattered when Hester is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, but she wishes to soften the blow by passing on her pension benefits to her Andree, so that she can afford to continue living in their new home. However, under Ocean County laws this is not possible for domestic partners - only married couples, and this is pre-marriage equality reforms. The couple implore the New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders to help sort this issue out, but as Hester grows ever weaker, it seems they're running out of time. With the help of Hester's supportive colleague Dane Wells and a gay Jewish activist named Steven Goldstein (the founder of Garden State Equality), they set out to defend the rights of same-sex couples across the state.

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