Tom Hanks, who starred in groundbreaking AIDS and gay rights themed Philadelphia (1993) turned out to be the presenter of the Oscar to 'Freeheld' producers, a film that was about modern gay rights. Additionally, and somewhat more ironically, at the time, the Academy used service members in a remote televised hookup from Afghanistan and during "don't ask, don't tell" to announce the nominees for best documentary category before Mr. Hanks said, "and the Oscar goes to... Freeheld", a film about a lesbian couple and their fight for equality. Unfortunately the featured partner in both films passes away prematurely in the course of seeking justice.
This film was partially supported by the Adrienne Shelly Foundation, a nonprofit organization that awards grants to female actors, writers, and/or directors of short films, feature films, and documentaries. The foundation was created by Andy Ostroy, the widower of actress, writer, and director Adrienne Shelly, after Shelly was murdered in 2006 at the age of 40.