Chatsworth train crash

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[quote author="Trooper" date=1223016893]I finally got confirmation last night that Spree and Laura had not taken advantage of California's Domestic Partner Registry, nor marriage. From what I've been told, both were so deeply in the closet they feared that people would find out about them if they joined legally.



It's just hard to imagine, in this day and age....in California....gays are still afraid to protect themselves legally......and to show their commitment publicly.



So Laura will receive nothing from Spree's estate, she did not have a will so everything will go to her surviving family. I hope they didn't own the house together.....



Just something to think about.</blockquote>


How sad that they felt they had to hide.



It seems to me that, in the interviews I've seen with Laura, it sounded like they owned the house together. That could be messy.
 
Trooper and all



One of the worst parts of this is that all of the death, pain, and suffering is due to someone text messaging. I wonder what was so important and how the person who received the messages feels at this time.



Sometimes there are natural disasters that no one can help but this was just plain stupid and preventable. I hope the new law requireing handsfree devices in autos in Calif is enforced.



What are thoughts as to how many law suits for negligence?



Regards
 
Like so many others on this board, Trooper, you were the first thing that came to my mind when I heard about this tragedy. Thank you for informing all of us about her story - I never would have known otherwise. This is all just so terribly sad. Keep fighting the good fight for the right to be treated as a full human being.
 
Update: I had coffee with someone who works with Laura last night. Yes indeed, they owned the house together. It was Spree's decision not to join legally because she was afraid of the gay stigma. Spree's parents are not treating Laura well and are giving her the cold shoulder..... I was unable to gather specifics about why, but can only assume that since Spree wasn't out on the job...she probably wasn't out to her family either. I know they did a news conference together, so not sure what's up.



Looks like the money grubbing is about to begin (Please refer to my prior video clip from If These Walls Could Talk).



Our officers have organized a sort of "Redo my house" type thing for Laura in mid-October. The flier reads that new woodwork, trim, baseboards, paint, countertops, flooring and landscaping will be done. This all courtesy of material and monetary donations from police officers....not to mention their sweat.



Looks like about 100 officers will be there in solidarity, straight and gay. Now THAT's what I like to see.



Laura is still not doing well and remains in San Diego with her family.
 
I really feel badly for Laura. The first thing I thought of when I saw the interview with her at the house was whether she would lose it or not because of the loss of a second income.



It's tragic that she doesn't have the support or kindness available from Spree's family. It seemed to me that Spree's parents were older, so maybe they aren't as tolerant as other people might be. I don't know - it's such a tragedy for the whole family, and now Laura is getting hit twice, it seems.



Good to hear that she's getting some support from her fellow officers. Do you know if there is a fund to contribute to that might help her a little bit? It certainly won't change what happened but, maybe, it might help some of the stress, especially since she was so concerned in the interview about being able to keep the house in the future.
 
I don't know of any fund Anon., but thank you for inquiring.



I know that Laura has remained in SD, but I'm not sure how long it will take her to come back to work. She's now an out lesbian, where she never was before. He biggest fear has come true.... everyone knows now. I wouldn't be surprised if she takes months off because she won't know how to deal with it. She's been the "face" of women motor officers for LAPD for many years. She's on all of our recruitment posters showing women that you can have any job you want (even SWAT now !) in the LAPD.



Hopefully the turnout on the 18th will show her that no one really cares about her sexuality, they just care about her.



I'm concerned for her though.



<img src="http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/LAPD+Holds+Funeral+Officer+Killed+Metrolink+PpoeYSHVsYLl.jpg" alt="" />
 
<img src="http://www3.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/LAPD+Holds+Funeral+Officer+Killed+Metrolink+WfhCRmGNNEXl.jpg" alt="" />
 
I can't imagine having to face two huge things like she is now. She's now out in a big way and her partner died in such a horrible manner.



Those pictures are just heartbreaking.
 
I promise, if the marriage bill passes....I will knock it off for awhile..... don't mean to seem so "gay rah rah" lately, but I'm motivated.



In this pic, I want you to take a close look at Laura's right ring finger. This is a commitment ring. It is common for in the closet homos to exchange rings, but wear them on their right hand so as "not to bring attention" to it. They don't want to answer the questions about, "what's your husband do".....when you really have a wife and aren't comfortable admitting it.



I exchanged rings with someone many years ago and chose to wear it on my left hand, like you all do. I dodged all the questions, mentioned that it was my grandmother's.....never did admit why I was wearing it because back then, no one knew I was gay.



But I tell you, just thinking about it.....I was so proud to wear that band on my left hand. It made me feel "different"....like Cayci said, more legitimate.....for some odd reason. I felt like I belonged to "the club". Hard to explain.



No on Prop 8, by the way.



<img src="http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/LAPD+Holds+Funeral+Officer+Killed+Metrolink+h4khpgZ_hZhl.jpg" alt="" />
 
Trooper,

Honestly, I feel that alot of people might have had a good idea she was gay. I don't think they will look at her any differently and if they do, they would be mistaken. She had already proven herself as a competent person, being gay would not have changed any of that. Anyways good luck and my thoughts go out to the family and loved ones.



You too, take it easy and be safe.

-bix
 
Bix, if you saw her out of uniform with her hair down....you might not know.



The thing to key in on here is, SHE didn't think anyone knew she was gay. It always amazes me when obviously gay people pretend that they're not. I mean, I know a bull D lesbian in my former division, who, knowing I was gay, still talked about her make believe husband. When I finally got to meet him, he was a RAGING QUEEN ! Husband my as*. They were both gay but got "married" because neither could deal with their homosexuality. In my community, it's called a "beard".....



Some people can't even stand themselves for being gay (which is why suicide for gay youth is staggeringly high)



Most of us (me included) were taught as children that homosexuality is wrong. We haven't forgotten...... some of us just deal with it better than others.
 
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