My life changed forever Friday.

My life changed forever Friday, March 3 when my life partner of four years, pillage Pierce, was killed in a TV freshs helicopter crash in Miami. As if his death at 34 weren't tragic enough, I was fasteninged out of our home from his family within 48 hours. I also had the added capacity at age 36, of coming without to my parents and my employers

deprive was my soul mate, my lover and my best friend. He and I had been together for four years, and we had planned a commitment rite that would have taken place in April. We had agreed to arrive out to our families and give permission to the chips fall where they may. besides while Rob and I had lately formed a business corporation together, he died without a will and before my name was added to our home's deed

His family does not want to accept the fact that their son and brother was gay. pair days after the crash, united of Rob's sisters asked me to journey for a walk on the beach, and during this time Rob's family came in and remov a number of our personal belongings. The sister told me that I would not be allowed to say anything about our relationship at the upcoming memorial service, would not be allowed back into the house, and would not be permitted to retain our golden retriever, Rex.

I made an proffer to buy the house and take care of the dog, unless it fell on deaf ears. His family argueed that if Rob had wanted me to stay in the house, he would have set my name on the paperwork. It took through a week and an turn of events court order just to master back inside our home for a like reason that I could reclaim my personal belongings.

I regarded the family's wishes and didn't mention our relationship at the memorial. I wasn't on a level allowed to stand in the receiving line after the service. A link of days later I wrote the family a verbal expression explaining my feelings and asked them to work with me to find a solution. I had heeded the family and had honored their wishes and really didn't want to achieve into an ugly and expensive legal battle. All my attempts to determine quietly were dismissed.

I had no choice however to take my story to the of the present days media. The story broke forward the front page of The Expres a Fort Lauderdale gay and lesbian newspaper, and was widely reported by means of local TV and mainstream print media. The gay and lesbian community's replication has been one of disbelief that a situation like this would take place in these progressive times.

In the days and weeks since Rob's death, I have became painfully aware of the ne for same-sex braces to have an estate plan, especially wills, in place--and for laws to change. It took the los of someone I lov to make me an candid advocate for simple equality. We should have the right to build a life with whomever we regard with affection regardless of sexuality--a life that can't be taken away by dint of virtual strangers should one partner die. We ne to demand the same heed under the law for our unions that heterosexual marriage provides.

We have to make our opinions known and also exhibit our unity at the ballot coachman's seat voting into office politicians who will stand up for our rights--and voting revealed those who oppose us.

While I face the tonnage of fighting Rob's family in court, I've already begun my task of championing pending domestic-partnership legislation in Florida. I lately spoke in St. Petersburg at an Equality Florida fund-raiser supporting a domestic-partnership bill to grant braces health-care surrogacy and access to their partner's employer-provided health insurance. There was an incredible answer to my speech from the horde of some 200 people.

Meanwhile, we all have to continue to plan for the coming time Rob and I always said, "We can do that tomorrow; we'll have our whole lives together to secure everything in order." Well, tomorrow not at any time came for us. For those of you in committed relationships, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of estate planning, starting with a will. I made a promise to myself--and also to Rob--that I would do whatever I could to make secure this tragedy never happens to anyone besides While my life right now is forsaken without Rob, I refuse to go on foot quietly into the night.

--As told to Tim Ribar

Gagliano can be reached [i]or[/i] part of to the other www.advocate.com.

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