Motorcycles, the Double Life, And Ellen Page

The affecting drama Freeheld is based on the true story (and Oscar-winning short documentary) about Laurel Hester (Julianne Moore), a dedicated detective in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, who must fight for justice when her legal domestic partner, Stacie (Ellen Page), is denied pension benefits after Laurel develops terminal cancer. Although domestic partnerships were legal in the state at the time, the Freeholders of Ocean County had the power to determine the pension benefits for state employees in same-sex domestic partnerships. They refused to grant Laurel’s pension benefits to Stacie, which would likely force the widow out of her house.

The film chronicles how Laurel and Stacie reluctantly but emphatically challenge this decision. They enlist the help of Steven Goldstein (Steve Carell), a Garden State Equality activist. In addition, Laurel’s partner on the force, Dane Wells (Michael Shannon), a straight ally, also helps mobilize the fight for equality with the precinct.

While it may not be a surprise how the story turns out, Freeheld generates its greatest emotional power not in the fight for equality but in the intimate moments between Laurel and Stacie — on a date, or setting up their dream house — and Moore and Page are incredibly endearing as a couple.

The openly gay Page spoke about making her passion project, Freeheld.

You have a producer credit on the film. Why was this story important to be told, and told now?

I attached myself to this film when I was 21, so it’s been a long time. I was involved pre-screenplay, pre-director, pre-Julianne. I think the film is important now because while the Supreme Court decision is amazing and unbelievable and the progress is astonishing, there’s so much more work to do for true equality. In many civil rights movements, there’s always some backlash. I think this film shows why that recent decision is so important. Freeheld tells the story in the macro and micro perspectives, how inequality makes people feel [the world is saying] we’re not going to value your love; you are less than us. And the couple’s socioeconomic situation has the real impact — especially when we talk about equality in the large political sense. And to convey what that decision means and what discrimination does is to make people feel they are validated and what their love is, and it is being respected.

What emotional buttons does the story press for you and why?

I think I have a similar response to what it means to be together in a relationship that’s closeted. It was exciting to explore that in a slightly more layered way. This wasn’t just a fight about coming out. More like: Why do we have to live and compromise our love and relationships? I found that in my personal experience. I think telling this story is important because Stacie and Laurel did something crucial in a time of unimaginable difficulty and I wanted to be a part of telling their story.

You tend to play tough, determined women, but in Freeheld, your character is more passive. How did you approach playing Stacie?

When I met Stacie, the thing that was most evident was her desire to tell this love story and make that the emotional through line: her complete and utter dedication to Laurel; to do what she thought Laurel would want. She is a very shy person. You get to know her and she’s incredibly funny and deeply, deeply sensitive. But she’s very quiet. Her journey is powerful. She did not want to invest in the activism at first. Doing so would acknowledge that her lover is going to die. She was doing her job, navigating the insurance companies, and activism. So she didn’t have an opportunity to be vulnerable.

How did you personally relate to Stacie? Are you into volleyball, motorcycles, and older women?

I’m horrible at all things like that. I wish I had more hands-on skills, but I don’t. Motorcycles kind of scare me. Older women are super hot, though. Stacie and I don’t have that much in common. That said I’d be delighted to have the opportunity to learn some of those skills.

Laurel has to live a double/secret life. You had a secret life for a while, too. What can you say about that experience and your decision to come out?

It was the best decision I ever made, wish I had made it sooner. But I had to go on whatever journey I went on. Some people have a risk of being thrown in jail or killed for being gay. For me, being closeted was an incredibly sad and toxic experience, and it got to a point where I was done living like that. It created a ripple effect of happiness in every aspect of my life. Being closeted does affect every aspect of who you are. There are people in the community who are far more vulnerable than me. I want to help them.

The film is very much about Laurel and Stacie’s dignity and giving visibility to marginalized people who become citizen-activists. What prompts you to speak up and out?

I was closeted because of my job. I’m not anymore. I feel really fortunate that I can be out. I thought it wouldn’t be a possibility for me to be out and walk down red carpet with my girlfriend. My goals and intentions are positive. I’m doing this show called Gaycation where I explore the LGBT communities and issues and difficulties in different countries. It hopefully will create a larger conversation about LGBT communities around the world. I want to talk about more experiences. Trans women of color have life expectancy of 35, and 40 percent of homeless youth are LGBT. Those are troublesome statistics. I want to do what I can to talk about these issues and bring them to the forefront and give visibility to those who are vulnerable.

Freeheld is opening 10/9 in Denver in select Denver theaters.