This post is about
Laurel Hester, a lesbian suffering from terminal cancer in New Jersey who fought for, and won, the right to leave her pension benefits to her partner. Laurel's case has had a huge and growing impact--proven once again tonight. The post below is from
The BigGayPicture where I have blogged extensively about Laurel.
If you doubt that one person can make a real difference in the world, then read the press release below the fold just sent to me by Dane Wells, a straight man who has fought tirelessly for Laurel. The press release was written by Jackson Township Committeeman Mark A. Seda, a Republican who tonight got his colleagues to unanimously vote for their town to extend domestic partner benefits to their employees. Mr. Seda's reason for doing so? Laurel Hester. From the press release:
Like many other people around the world, I've been learning a great deal recently about the issue of Domestic Partner rights that has placed Ocean County front and center on the world's stage through the incredibly courageous story of Ocean County's own hometown hero, Lt. Laurel Hester of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.
From what I can see, I'm only one of millions who's been touched in a very big way by Lt. Hester's story. If it weren't for Lt Hester's heart-wrenching story, I would probably not have paid much attention to this issue. Her dignity and the incredible bravery she's displayed at the end of her life in wanting to change the world has inspired me to realize that as an elected official I should be standing by her side.
Talk about changing minds. Dane told me that after the vote he plugged a cell phone into the auditorium's sound system so that Laurel could personally thank the mayor and committee. When she finished speaking, the entire auditorum rose to give her a standing ovation. Dane said more than a few tears were shed.
Laurel Hester can now add Jackson Township to her already astounding legacy. Along with Jackson Township, five more counties have added domestic partner benefits as a result of her case. I sincerely believe more counties and municipalities in New Jersey will follow suit. Did I mention the fact the entire state of New Jersey greatly expanded benefits for domestic partners? Again, because of Laurel. And next month the New Jersey State Supreme Court hears arguments in a lawsuit over same-sex marriage. I can't help but think that the justices have heard--and been touched by--Laurel's story.
And I don't think Laurel's impact is going to stop now. Laurel's case has received not just nation-wide attention, but world-wide attention. Like Committeman Sado, few who hear Laurel's story fail to see the terrible injustice done by refusing to recognize gay and lesbian relationships.
Laurel, a soft-spoken woman who shuns the spotlight even when it is her due, once told me she never set out to be the poster girl for same-sex marriage. And she's not. She's the poster girl for what one person of quiet dignity and steadfast conviction can achieve by refusing to give in to intolerance--even when it means spending the last days of your life fighting for what you believe is right.
Steven Goldstein of Garden State Equality recently told me he thought of Laurel as New Jersey's Rosa Parks for her courage in refusing to stay a second class citizen. I daresay he is right.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE by
Jackson Township Committeeman Mark A. Seda
January 23, 2006
Equal Rights for All Americans
Like many other people around the world, I've been learning a great deal recently about the issue of Domestic Partner rights that has placed Ocean County front and center on the world's stage through the incredibly courageous story of Ocean County's own hometown hero, Lt. Laurel Hester of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.
From what I can see, I'm only one of millions who's been touched in a very big way by Lt. Hester's story. Her dignity and the incredible bravery she's displayed at the end of her life in wanting to change the world has inspired me to realize that as an elected official I should be standing by her side.
I've been approached by a lot of people in Jackson and elsewhere about this issue. I was very pleased to learn that the overwhelming majority of them agree with me that this is an important civil rights issue; an issue that as Americans we all have to address. To me, it seems like it's nothing other than a very simple matter of fundamental fairness and Equal Rights for All Americans. If it weren't for Lt Hester's heart-wrenching story, I would probably not have paid much attention to this issue.
But now I have, and I'm alarmed to learn of the loop holes New Jersey law dealing with Domestic Partnership Rights. I've found there are a lot of gaps in existing state laws that have been created in recent years and quite frankly in my estimation need to be closed.
For example, right now, state law discriminates against government workers based on their sexual orientation according to which particular state pension system they happen to be a member of.
These inequalities must be fixed and I think we here in Jackson should take the lead at the local level and begin to right the inexcusable injustice that's being wrought upon New Jersey's residents based on nothing more than the gender of their life partner.
Therefore I ask my colleagues tonight to join me in authorizing our attorney to prepare a resolution for adoption at the next Township Committee meeting; a resolution that will grant domestic partner pension benefits to all Jackson Township employees.
In addition, I would ask that the Township Committee further authorize the Township Attorney to prepare a resolution formally supporting the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders in their decision to grant Domestic Partner Pension Benefits and our Ocean County legislative delegation in their efforts to convince the New Jersey legislature that we all have to join together, Republicans and Democrats alike, in Jackson, in New Jersey, and indeed throughout America, to right these horrible wrongs being perpetrated against all of our fellow human beings such as Lt. Laurel Hester. Thank You.