Yet another reason this “state’s rights” nonsense is just that.
Many people, political candidates in particular, are fond of the “states’ rights” argument when it comes to same-sex marriage. They choose the easy way out (for themselves) by claiming that this is the fairest option for all. But it isn’t the fairest option for the LGBT people who are denied rights in any state except MA, currently the only one that allows same-sex marriage. Nor is it the fairest option for any LGBT citizen who is married and moves out of MA, for those rights are not portable. Nor have Civil Unions/Domestic Partnerships proven anywhere near equal to marriage. So “states rights” is just another way of saying to LGBT citizens you don’t count.
Now another instance has arisen in which the utter inequality LGBT citizens experience under the law has been laid bare. And the “states’ rights” nonsense only becomes more insidious as we see how real-life couples are harmed by this notion.
(Miami, Florida) Janice Langbehn and Lisa Pond had planned to take their three children on a family cruise. The Olympia, Washington couple had been together 18 years and with their children were looking forward to the holiday.
But just as they were about to depart on the cruise from Miami, Florida. Pond, a healthy 39-year-old, suddenly collapsed. She was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami with Langbehn and the children following close behind.
But once Langbehn and the children arrived at the hospital the hospital refused to accept information from her about Ponds’s medical history.
Langbehn says she was informed that she was in an antigay city and state, and she could expect to receive no information or acknowledgment as family.
…..
Other than one five minute visit, which was orchestrated by a Catholic priest at Langbehn’s request to perform last rites, and despite the doctor’s acknowledgement that no medical reason existed to prevent visitation, neither she nor her children were allowed to see Pond until nearly eight hours after their arrival.
Soon after Pond’’s death, Langbehn tried to get her death certificate in order to get life insurance and Social Security benefits for their children. She was denied both by the State of Florida and the Dade County Medical Examiner.
With the help of Lambda Legal Langbehn has notified Jackson Memorial Hospital that she intends to file a lawsuit….
No opposite-sex couple in any state would have been put through that kind of hell. But since Pond and Lagbehn were lesbians the employees in that hospital felt it was fine to deny Lagbehn and their children crucial Human and Civil Rights. This is utterly unacceptable and will not stop until we as a nation put our foot down and make it stop.
We must stand up for what is right for everybody, for all families, in all states. Never again should a partner or child be unable to be with a loved one in their last moments or make decisions on their behalf because of the insensitivities or bigotries of others. Hatred and prejudice must give way, on a national scale, to Human and Civil Rights for all.
Tags: Florida
