It’s so boring, isn’t it? It’s just so boring on so many levels. It shouldn’t matter and it just does matter to a lot of people. But that’s one of the reasons why I wanted to make "Tying the Knot." We wanted to show to people who are susceptible to that right wing rhetoric that no, there really are reasons that people need the protections of marriage. And there are people who are in love and committed to each other, gay and lesbian couples. And why on earth should they be denied, as tax paying citizens of this country, why should they be denied the same rights and benefits that straight couples get? And I hope once we get it in front of straight eyes, which is goal ultimately, that we can change some minds.
What is the specific difficulty with police pension that it couldn’t just be left to a friend?
It gets a little complicated with the Tampa story in the film because of the police pension. You’re referring to Lois’ pension. So when Mickey was trying to get that pension from Lois, from the police department to cover their mutual debt together, she was obviously initially turned down and we sort of chronicle how she comes about going to a second hearing and fighting for the pension. And the problem was that the law in Tampa had said that the pension - it wasn’t even the law. Actually, it was the private pension fund of the city, said that the pension could only be left to a surviving spouse or an immediate family member. And technically, under the law, Lois was not either of those, did not fit into either of those categories. So she was denied the pension on that basis. Now what had happened is that the state had said, in terms of municipality, you need to be able to allow someone to designate their beneficiary. And this superceded the rules of the local Tampa pension board. But they had never circulated the forms allowing Lois to designate her beneficiary. That whole second hearing was to determine who Lois would have named if she had been given the chance, and that she would have named Mickey and their relationships would have been protected and Mickey would have gotten the pension.
What is the status of Earl’s estate and Lois’ pension?
Sam’s case, Sam is still appealing his case in the courts right now, so it’s still in the same state of flux. But horrible to have this guy who’s trying to grieve and pull his life together to have to go through facing eviction proceedings from some greedy cousins. So it’s still in process right now. The pension was turned down on yet another appeal to the state and there’s the discretionary appeal that’s being worked on right now. So again, that’s still in flux. Doesn’t look that good though.
