Why We Need Gay Marriage or Civil Unions
Tax breaks, health benefits, custody and adoption rights are among the standard arguments one can make for gay marriage or civil unions. And usually as an afterthought, someone will throw in hospital visitation rights. This vein of the debate perpetually receives a sneer of condescension as if barring anyone from seeing a dying partner only happens on E.R. and would not be permitted in today's society.
Well...welcome to today's society.
A lesbian couple and their four children were set to embark on a family cruise departing from south Florida in February 2007. The trip was to be a celebration of the couple's 18 years together.
It never happened. Lisa Marie Pond, an otherwise healthy 39 year old, suffered a massive stroke the night before the trip. She was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital where her partner, Janice Langbehn wasn't allowed past the waiting room nor would anyone on the staff take a medical history from her. Seriously.
The hospital social worker told Janice that this is an anti gay state and unless she could fax a health proxy to the hospital she would never be allowed to see her partner. Janice and Lisa Marie had prepared for such a situation and the legal documents were promptly sent to no avail.
Only after a priest intervened was Janice and their adopted children allowed a five minute visit when the last rites were given nearly 8 hours after their arrival - 8 unimaginable hours.
Janice is now suing the hospital.
I wonder how Fred Phelps missed that funeral.
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i need a gay.
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