For My Wife…

This moving chronicle of one woman's embrace of marriage-rights activism following the death of her partner focuses on Seattle interior designer Charlene Strong, who lost Kate Fleming when the couple's home flooded during a 2006 storm, trapping the audiobook narrator in her basement studio. Although firefighters were able to remove, revive, and transport Kate to the hospital, Charlene couldn't ride in the ambulance or enter the emergency room until a relative granted permission, shortly after which Kate died. Charlene experienced further humiliation when the funeral director refused to acknowledge her, focusing all of his attention on Kate's mother. This treatment inspired Strong to testify on behalf of a Washington state domestic partnership bill sponsored by Senators Ed Murray and Joe McDermott and Representative Jamie Pederson, who talk about Strong's efforts, which are credited with helping to get the legislation passed. Filmmakers (and domestic partners) David Rothmiller and L.D. Thompson also travel with Strong to New York, where she attends the GLAAD Media Awards event, and to a variety of speaking engagements. Also featured are feminist icon Gloria Steinem, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, and individuals who share stories of their similar experiences with discrimination. DVD extras include an interview with Thompson and Strong, in which Charlene talks about the Catholic faith she and Kate shared, as well as Kate's commitment to social justice; a segment with Steinem on marriage equality; a conversation with Rothmiller and Thompson; and a music video of Sam Harris' “My Reclamation.” Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)