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April 14, 2006
Not All Americans Are Equal Under The Law
Posted at April 14, 2006 11:27 PM in Marriage Equality .This is an important series offered by the ACLU. This episode of The ACLU Freedom Files shows how the members of gay and lesbian families in America are treated as second-class citizens under the law, lacking rights that many people take for granted.
The video features vignettes into the lives of gay and lesbians couples and their experiences with loss, adoption and sickness. The video features Alvin and Nigel (pictured below) who are raising three children who came to them through Maryland’s foster care system. Because the state doesn’t recognize them as a family, they live in fear that if something were to happen to one of them, the other wouldn't have full parental rights.
The most powerful story comes at the end. Earl wanted to bequeath to Sam the ranch the couple shared for 23 years. But when Earl’s will was contested, a judge ruled in favor of giving the ranch to his distant cousins -- individuals who never spent any time with the two men -- Sam was forced to turn his home over to strangers.
"Gay & Lesbian Rights" will show the real harm that occurs when loving couples’ relationships aren’t treated as legally valid.
You can become part of the movement to protect civil liberties by joining millions of viewers who are watching The ACLU Freedom Files. Go to their site and host a viewing party to get the word out.
The following is the segment in its entirety for high bandwidth. You can go to the ACLU's site here for other viewing options or watch the program Saturday, April 15, 2006 on Court TV.
To view, click the image below.
click here to download
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