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A slice of
life of a young, professional married couple with their
darling baby turns a sharp, dark corner when the pair
are arrested and charged with several counts of fraud.
The reason: Terry and Samantha Succi aren't the man and
woman that they purported to be. In truth, they are two
women. One, a long haired, pretty law professor; the
other, a boyish-looking architect, who tricked the world
surrounding her into thinking she was a man.
Under false pretenses of being a heterosexual couple,
they married. Under false pretenses of being a
heterosexual couple, they adopted their child. They
obtained their benefits and paid their taxes through the
same fraudulent pretext of being husband and wife...And
they did so because of state law that discriminates
against homosexual partners; they were prohibited from
receiving the same rights and benefits as their straight
counterparts.
The Governor, in an effort to protect his politically
necessary anti-gay marriage bill, secretly arranges for
a quick slap-on-the wrist plea offer that will ensure
both a guilty plea and a fast end to the case. Terry and
Samantha, though, decide to fight the fight and enlist
the unlikely representation of self-absorbed, but
respected powerhouse, heterosexual attorney John DeMine.
What ensues is a massive media covered courtroom battle,
with equally divided views...and equally plotted acts of
legal - and illegal - warfare.
The women have indeed broken the law. The law indeed
discriminates against them. With morals, egos and
political control at stake, threats turn into physical
attacks. A rogue left-wing group assaults the woman
prosecuting the case, followed by a violent invasion
into Samantha's and Terry's home by a fringe right-wing
outfit. With the case closed to the public, the
courtroom becomes a stage of safety - and justice. The
arcing of John DeMine's character, the will of the
beaten prosecutor and the strength of the charged
couple, will influence a jury, perhaps of peers, perhaps
not. One affirmative act, deciding not only the fate of
the women's freedom, but also the governor's bill and
one of the most controversial issues facing the United
States, will be had in this courtroom. One affirmative
act - of justice, or maybe not. |

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