A free screening of the documentary film "FREEHELD" will be the kick-off event on the eve of our Lobby Day for civil unions in Illinois. A pre-reception begins at 6:30 p.m., and the documentary follows at 7:00 p.m. This screening is being sponsored by the City of Chicago's Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues, Center on Halsted and Equality Illinois. Cynthia Wade's award-winning documentary, "FREEHELD," follows the struggle of the late Lt. Laurel Hester - an Ocean County, New Jersey police detective - to transfer her pension benefits to her domestic partner, Stacie Andree. While Laurel was dying of lung cancer, elected officials in Ocean County stood firmly against her and her supporters. After a screening of the film, a question and answer session with Prof. Beth Kelly of DePaul University will take place. Kelly, a member of ACLGBTI, was a college friend of Laurel Hester and served as a consultant to the filmmakers. She teaches in DePaul's LGBTQ studies program. For information about HB1826, which would legalize civil unions in Illinois, go to http://ga0.org/campaign/equality Hoover-Leppen Theatre Center on Halsted 3656 N. Halsted St
