Short Film Based on True Story of Same-Sex Partners Caught in a Medical Nightmare, Awakes Audiences

LOS ANGELES, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - With same-sex marriage one of the hottest political topics in America, the issue becomes both personal and practical in Lauren Fash's compelling new short film QUIET, now an official selection of five film festivals including receiving honors at the California International Shorts Film Festival.

SYNOPSIS: Following a tragic accident that leaves her partner Sam (Jaclyn Betham) hospitalized, Ali (Susan Graham) poses as Sam's sister to disguise the true nature of their relationship. After her ruse is revealed in a jarring confrontation with an imperious nurse (Caroline Bielskis), Ali confesses that she and Sam were actually spouses. With Texas not recognizing their same sex union, Ali's next-of-kin visitation privileges are instantly revoked, as is her right to make critical medical decisions for Sam. Heartbroken and desperate, Ali must confront the harsh reality of institutionalized homophobia while also exorcising the demons that plagued the last few moments of her shattered marriage. The ensemble cast also includes: Mike Rose, Cocoa Brown, Tom Lommel, Bridget McManus, and Shannan Leigh Reeve.

INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY: QUIET is inspired by the real-life experiences of Janice Langbehn who brought legal action after she was denied visitation rights for her same-sex partner in a Florida hospital in 2007. The case led to the hospital to institute significant changes in their visitation policy for LGBT patients. Although Langbehn's federal case was dismissed, President Barack Obama cited the Langbehn-Pond case when announcing a Presidential Memorandum instructing all hospitals that receive Medicare or Medicaid to allow gay and lesbian partners the same rights and privileges as straight partners. The rule went into effect January of last year. While this was a step toward equality for LGBT couples, it addresses just one of 1138 rights that marriage affords their straight counterparts.

2012 FILM FESTIVALS: QUIET is an official selection of the California International Shorts Film Festival (Honorable Mention), Toronto LGBT Film Festival, London Lesbian Film Festival. The film will screen as an official selection of the Newport Beach Film Festival on May 2, 2012 at 6 PM at Triangle Square Cinema. Director Lauren Fash and cast members Jaclyn Betham, Susan Graham, Mike Rose, Bridget McManus, Caroline Bielskis and Josh Schottland are expected to attend.

QUIET is currently being developed as a feature length film. http://www.QuietTheMovie.com | @QuietTheMovie

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SOURCE Lexicon Public Relations