Harvey Frand

Emmy-award winning TV producer Harvey Frand's television career began in his hometown, working for NBC News. He worked his way up the executive ranks, and as an executive he oversaw the production of "Harry O," a '70s TV series. He was in San Diego to check on production, and took on the role of on-site producer. This experience inspired him to pursue producing. He earned his first producer credit in 1979 on "California Fever," and by the '80s was building a solid reputation with science-fiction and fantasy series like "The Twilight Zone" and "Beauty and the Beast." With his sci-fi background and producing savvy, he was hired to produce "Battlestar Galactica" the miniseries in 2003. From there he went on to become an integral part of the franchise, serving as producer on the "Battlestar Galactica" TV series as well as a number of spin-offs. His work earned him an Emmy in 2008. Frand died on July 23, 2009, and was survived by his domestic partner of 32 years, Bill Bowerstock. Their partnership was not recognized as marriage on federal or state levels so Bowerstock was barred from the social security benefits a heterosexual widower would be entitled to. A documentary short called "Thank You For Your Call" followed Bowerstock's forced departure from the home he'd shared with Frand. The short was used to raise awareness on the disparity between the civil rights of homosexuals and heterosexuals.