The other Ellen comes through

Since the election it has been the best of times and the worst of times for GLBT Americans. Being part of the election of the first African-American president? Awesome! Being denied equal rights – from marriage to adoption – from coast to coast? Unacceptable! Being insulted after such civil rights injury by the president-elect's choice of a pastor who believes pedophilia, incest and polygamy are the equivalent to gay marriage to give the invocation at the inauguration? Fucking hell! I swear, if it weren't for people like Rachel Maddow voicing our indignation I'd just be screaming “I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!” out of my window 24/7.

So, clearly, any news that might be construed as good for our community both brings my blood pressure back to somewhat normal levels and gives me hope that in the not-so-distant future we won't have to endure this sort of utter bullshit. Over the weekend that good news came in the form of Ellen Page and the life of Laurel Hester.

Those who watched the Oscars telecast earlier this year might remember the ecstatic Best Short Documentary winners for the film, “Freeheld.” The documentary followed Laurel's struggle after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer to transfer her 25-year police pension to partner Stacie Andree. The two were registered domestic partners but not, of course, legally married. So her New Jersey county freeholders (like a county supervisor, but in Jersey) denied her request. And she fought them, while dying, for her rights. Then a month before she passed away after extensive public outcry and Laurel's own hospital-bed appeals, the freeholders reversed their decision.

So, right, at this point you're probably wondering : Where does Ellen Page come in? Good things indeed come to those who wait. Because Ellen has been attached to the film adaptation of the documentary. The fine gays over at Good As You uncovered the news from director Cynthia Wade herself. Wade has partnered with the producers of “Erin Brockovich” to bring Laurel's story to the screen as a feature film. Ellen would play Laurel's partner, Stacie. Now, Wade admits it could take one to two years to get the script. But even so the news is both exciting and encouraging. And, given that Ellen's lesbian teenage werewolf movie is now off, it'll be a welcome chance to finally see Ellen hug a woman with her legs in friendship.

All kidding and leg hugging aside, a film like this could be invaluable in turning the public tide on gay marriage. Maybe, just maybe, after seeing the struggle these women went through in the face of nothing short of death will make people realize that love is love. The loss of a partner is the loss of a partner. And in the face of such loss, you should at least be secure in the fact that your life's work will go to the person you love, no questions asked. Maybe, just maybe, after seeing this then they'll be as outraged as we are when the Rick Warrens of the world so blithely say that “part of maturity...delayed gratification...character” is reigning in “natural impulses toward the same sex.” So thanks, Ellen. If it weren't for your news I'd be half way to my window to yell some more. Instead, I just want to to hug you with my legs in solidarity.