Lesbian Filmmaker Debra Chasnoff dies.

Chasnoff, who was the first lesbian to thank her Partner during her Oscar Acceptance Speech in 1992, passed away on November 7th, aged 60.

Chasnoff's first film in 1985, 'Choosing Children' was about lesbians deciding to become parents. Her partner at the time, Kim Klausner, co-directed the film and they went on to have 2 children together - Noah and Oscar. The couple later separated in 1996. She also made documentaries about gay marriage, LGBT bullying in schools and environmental issues.

Academy Award

She won the 1991 Oscar for Best Documentary for her film 'Deadly Deception: General Electric, Nuclear Weapons and Our Environment', which exposed the health effects of nuclear materials produced by GE.

In 2009, Chasnoff told Lesbian News Magazine, “When I did it, I thought, this is really astonishing to me that this hasn’t happened before. We all know plenty of gay people who have won Academy Awards but we’re all just quiet about it. I couldn’t imagine having that profound of an honor and not acknowledging my partner.”

Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Chasnoff was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and was filming her experience to help other people deal with living with cancer. Her wife and partner of 17 years, Nancy Otto plans to complete the documentary with Chasnoff's production company, Groundspark.

3 weeks before her death, Chasnoff celebrated her 60th birthday at the couple's Noe Valley home. Otto said, "She was up til 1:30 in the morning, dancing, partying. She was so happy."

The Oscar Speech

"I want to share this wonderful honor tonight with INFACT, the national organization that is campaigning to get General Electric and all other companies out of the deadly nuclear weapons industry. INFACT supporters all over the world helped us tell the real story about the company that falsely claims it brings good things to life. I was very fortunate to work with a talented production crew including cinematographer Fawn Yacker and editor Joan Lefkowitz. Finally, I am very grateful to my friends and family, particularly to Kim Klausner, my life partner, who always had faith in me, and to our son Noah who reminds me on a daily basis of why it's so important not to give up and to keep working for peace and justice. Thank you very much, and boycott GE!"

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