Gay and Lesbian Rights
Children separated from parents, loved ones left alone to battle illness, shared property seized by the state--these scenarios may sound like the stuff of nightmares, but they’re all too real for gay and lesbian families.

Gay & Lesbian Rights shows how the members of gay and lesbian families in America are treated as second-class citizens under the law, lacking rights that many take for granted.

Alvin and Nigel are in the process of adopting three children from the foster care system. Because Maryland law says they both can’t adopt at the same time, Alvin currently has no parental rights--and worries that he would lose the children if something happened to Nigel.

Carol and Heather had to fend off challenges about their relationship from hospital staff even as Carol was fighting breast cancer. After that, they decided to get a medical power of attorney and other legal documentation, but Heather still had to defend her right to be at her partner’s side during a later incident.

Sam and Earl lived together for 23 years on a ranch in Oklahoma, but when Earl died, Sam was left with none of the protections that marriage would have given him. A judge was able to hand over Sam’s longtime home to Earl’s distant relatives.

This episode of The Freedom Files -- which also includes humorous takes on heavy issues by comedians Judy Gold and Margaret Cho -- shows the harm that occurs when loving couples’ relationships aren’t recognized.

The Freedom Files
The Freedom Files (Season 1) is a 10-part multimedia series that goes behind the headlines to reveal the impact of civil liberties violations on real people’s daily lives. Created by the ACLU and award-winning filmmaker Robert Greenwald's Brave New Films, the series is produced and directed by Jeremy Kagan.

Series topics include the Patriot Act, the Supreme Court, free speech and dissent, religious freedom, gay and lesbian rights, drug policy, racial profiling, women's rights, and youth freedoms.

Join the Producers Club and organize a screening event.
The Freedom Files Producers Club is made up of a nationwide network of AcTiVists -- from libraries, schools and neighborhood associations to LINK TV viewers and other individuals -- who are bringing The Freedom Files to their communities and living rooms. The Producers Club aims to build a robust national network of AcTiVists who care deeply about civil liberties issues.

The American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union works daily in courts, legislatures and communities to protect the individual liberties, rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the laws of the United States. Founded in 1920, the ACLU is a nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization with more than 550,000 members. It has offices in all 50 states and employs more than 150 permanent staff attorneys and 2,000 cooperating attorneys, litigating more than 6,000 cases annually.

For more information go to http://www.aclu.tv.