Actresses turned away from New York Catholic school

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Recent reports have suggested that our struggle to end LGBT discrimination might have a long way to go. A film depicting a lesbian relationship has faced obstacles when attempting to secure a location for a scene in which the characters apply for a civil union.

Ellen Page and Julianne Moore are currently starring opposite each other in the film entitled Freeheld, which is based on an Oscar-winning documentary short from 2007. The film tells the story of a New Jersey detective played by Julianne who upon learning she is terminally ill with cancer seeks to leave her pension to her partner, played by Ellen.

The scene in which Ellen and Julianne's characters apply for formal recognition of their relationship was initially intended to take place in Salesian High School, a private, all-boys, Catholic school in New York. However, the film's producer Michael Shamberg has recently revealed that the school administration had said no to the proposed shooting. Michael Shamberg appealed to the school's principal in the hopes they could go ahead with the filming, but upon hearing nothing back from school president Fr. John Serio, the cast and crew were forced to shoot elsewhere.

Michael says: “I respect their right to say no, but it's sad.” When asked to comment on the matter, Fr. Serio said: “All are welcomed at Salesian High School. Our school chooses to embrace the social issues such as hunger, homelessness, poverty and helping the less fortunate.”

We'd really hate to think that the school rejected the film's request to shoot there based purely on the movie's subject matter. Hopefully, we'll hear a more positive update in coming days.
 

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