When Orlando Weekly writer, Billy Manes, lost his partner to suicide, he nearly lost everything he owned to homophobic "in-laws" who swooped in to make claims. Originally released in 2013 before marriage equality came to Florida and the U.S., it serves as a reminder of why the legal protections of marriage matter for all couples. Billy Manes died in the summer of 2017 after a brief illness. He leaves behind a legion of loyal friends, a grateful Orlando, and his wonderful husband, Tony Mauss, all of whom will miss him forever.
