Ellen Page confirmed to star in 'Freeheld'

The story of a lesbian couple struggling with local officials for domestic partnership is being made into a feature film. Cynthia Wade, the director of the award-winning short documentary "Freeheld", is making a full-length feature of the doc with "Juno" star, Ellen Page. Freeheld won the Oscar for best short documentary in 2008.

The Hollywood Reporter says Ron Nyswaner, an Oscar nominee for "Philadelphia," is writing the screenplay based on the true story of the women.

Laurel Hester was a New Jersey police detective lieutenant with 25 years of service behind her. In October 2004, doctors diagnosed Lt. Hester with terminal lung cancer. Hester's fight for her life soon became an internationally witnessed battle as she tried to pass her pension to her domestic partner - Stacie Andree. Without Hester's pension, Andree, an auto mechanic, would not be able to afford to keep their home. Had they been a heterosexual married couple, there would have been no issue in passing on the pension.

With less than six months to live, Hester refused to back down when her elected officials - the Ocean County Freeholders - denied her request to leave her pension to Andree.

12/08