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News & ArtsWednesday, September 30, 2009
Homo / News Today In Defending Traditional Marriage
Posted by Dan Savage on Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 6:29 AM
So no one is going to be punished for this:
A federal court has dismissed a lawsuit by a lesbian who was banned by a Florida hospital from being with her life partner during her final hours. Lisa Pond, Janice Langbehn and their three adopted children were on a gay “R Family” cruise in February 2007 when Pond, 39, suffered a brain aneurysm that led to her being hospitalized.Despite the couple having the necessary legal forms, officials at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami allegedly prevented Langbehn and the couple’s children from seeing Pond during her final hours. Hospital officials allegedly informed Langbehn that she was in an anti-gay city and state, and that they would not recognize her power of attorney authority.
Did keeping Langhehn from Pond's deathbed—did keeping Pond's three children from their mother's deathbed—save any straight marriages in Florida? Or was this act of almost unspeakable cruelty all for nothing? I'm getting on an airplane so I can't call and ask. But maybe you would like to call Jackson Memorial Hospital and ask.
Jackson Memorial Hospital Main Line
305-585-1111Administration
305-585-6086Customer Service
305-585-5300Human Resources
786-466-8333Patient Relations
305-585-7341Public Relations/Media
305-585-7213
And, hey, look what I found on top of Jackson Memorial Hospital's website this morning:
Lisa Pond's widow and children will no doubt be delighted to learn that Jackson Memorial Hospital values compassion so highly.
1
Great, let's harass poor people who don't have anything to do with the hospital's policy-making. Great idea. The bigger assholes we all look like, the sooner we'll have rights for all!
2
"The court ruled that the hospital has neither an obligation to allow their patients’ visitors nor any obligation whatsoever to provide their patients’ families, healthcare surrogates, or visitors with access to patients in their trauma unit."
It wasn't a gay thing, Dan.
If you don't unwad your panties you'll get a yeast infection...
It wasn't a gay thing, Dan.
If you don't unwad your panties you'll get a yeast infection...
4
"Soon after Lisa's death, Janice tried to get her death certificate in order to get life insurance and Social Security benefits..."
6
how did this suit get dimissed? even if you ignore their personal relationship, how can the courts allow ignoring power of attorney? any lawyer-types out there able to explain?
7
The hospital social worker accused of making the comments ‘’strongly denies making the comments,” says JMH’s VP of public relations, Robert Alonso. Alonso says Pond was at Ryder Trauma Center, where doctors delivered ”immediate emergency clinical interventions.” That accounts for any delay in Langbehn seeing Pond, Alonso says. “We have a very liberal visitation policy. As soon as it’s humanly possible and appropriate to bring in visitors, we do.”
8
The hospital social worker accused of making the comments has a doctorate in social welfare from Florida International University, has worked at Jackson for 16 years and has been honored for his work. Frederick’s supervisor calls him a ‘’strong patient advocate, experienced and extremely compassionate,” Alonso says.
9
A priest allowed her to perform last rites for 5 minutes, but she was not allowed access prior to that even though a doctor stated clearly that there was no medical reason she should be kept from her partner.
10
From the beginning, Jackson said Langbehn was not discriminated against and defended the social worker, who denied making the comment.
Jackson on Tuesday again denied that gay patients and their families are treated differently.
``We have always believed and known that the staff at Jackson treats everyone equally, and that their main concern is the well-being of the patients in their care,'' Jackson spokeswoman Jennifer Piedra said in a news release.
``At Jackson Health System, we believe in a culture of inclusion. For more than 90 years, the institution has taken great pride in serving everyone who enters its doors, regardless of race, creed, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. We also employ a very diverse workforce, one that mirrors the community we serve,'' Piedra said.
Added Piedra: ``Jackson will continue to work with the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community to ensure that everyone knows they are welcome at all of our facilities, where they will receive the highest quality of medical care.''
Jackson on Tuesday again denied that gay patients and their families are treated differently.
``We have always believed and known that the staff at Jackson treats everyone equally, and that their main concern is the well-being of the patients in their care,'' Jackson spokeswoman Jennifer Piedra said in a news release.
``At Jackson Health System, we believe in a culture of inclusion. For more than 90 years, the institution has taken great pride in serving everyone who enters its doors, regardless of race, creed, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. We also employ a very diverse workforce, one that mirrors the community we serve,'' Piedra said.
Added Piedra: ``Jackson will continue to work with the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community to ensure that everyone knows they are welcome at all of our facilities, where they will receive the highest quality of medical care.''
11
Sounds like the best response is twofold: a series of letters addressed to "Dear Fuckers," and an immediate LGBTQ boycott of travel to or business in Florida. Why would you risk getting hurt at a theme park/by alligators in the ditches/crime victim/etc. and then being prevented from being with your family?
I know a lot of gay kids who worked for Disney as a summer job, and quite a few found long term relationships there. I hope that they decide to go to California instead.
I know a lot of gay kids who worked for Disney as a summer job, and quite a few found long term relationships there. I hope that they decide to go to California instead.
12
Sounds like the best response is twofold: a series of letters addressed to "Dear Fuckers," and an immediate LGBTQ boycott of travel to or business in Florida. Why would you risk getting hurt at a theme park/by alligators in the ditches/crime victim/etc. and then being prevented from being with your family?
I know a lot of gay kids who worked for Disney as a summer job, and quite a few found long term relationships there. I hope that they decide to go to California instead.
I know a lot of gay kids who worked for Disney as a summer job, and quite a few found long term relationships there. I hope that they decide to go to California instead.
13
Even if you assume Miami and the hospital are hostile to gays, which there are no facts to sustain, the comments "allegedly" made are suspiciously blatant.
Suspiciously so...
Suspiciously so...
17
Wow, the troll appears to have had too much caffeine this morning. He ought to lie down with a damp towel on his forehead and calm the fuck down.
19
States may not directly hurt my feelings, but if a state were to have legal precedent on the books saying that I couldn't go with my husband into the ER while he was suffering from, say, a severe asthma attack (just an example from life), I would avoid going to that state.
Hell, in my example, we were just dating at the time and I got into the ER with him, no problems, no questions asked. Would that have happened if I had tried to get into the ER in Florida when I was with my ex girlfriend? Likely not, especially since there is now legal precedent that hospitals can ignore MEDICAL POWERS OF ATTORNEY if they feel so inclined.
A personal policy of mine is the stay the hell out of Florida anyway. It's miserably hot and humid, the ditches are full of gators that are acclimated to people feeding them, the state gets hit by hurricanes at 5 year intervals and is populated by folks who not only will ignore power of attorney letters but sit on city councils and declare gays to e icky and not worthy of anti-discrimination laws (St. Petersburg is the first I'm finding in Google, but it's before coffee for me).
Hell, in my example, we were just dating at the time and I got into the ER with him, no problems, no questions asked. Would that have happened if I had tried to get into the ER in Florida when I was with my ex girlfriend? Likely not, especially since there is now legal precedent that hospitals can ignore MEDICAL POWERS OF ATTORNEY if they feel so inclined.
A personal policy of mine is the stay the hell out of Florida anyway. It's miserably hot and humid, the ditches are full of gators that are acclimated to people feeding them, the state gets hit by hurricanes at 5 year intervals and is populated by folks who not only will ignore power of attorney letters but sit on city councils and declare gays to e icky and not worthy of anti-discrimination laws (St. Petersburg is the first I'm finding in Google, but it's before coffee for me).
20
@ 1, have you ever worked the phones when complaints about such and such started flooding in? Believe me, the management notices.
21
You can also contact members of the Board for the hospital by email:
john.copeland@jhsmiami.org,
angel.medinajr@regions.com,
district2@miamidade.gov
And the Community Affairs and Outreach person:
outreach@jhsmiami.org
john.copeland@jhsmiami.org,
angel.medinajr@regions.com,
district2@miamidade.gov
And the Community Affairs and Outreach person:
outreach@jhsmiami.org
22
19
Power of attorney letters are not "visit the tramau unit anytime you want" tickets. When it was time to make a decision about organ transplantation Langbehn was consulted.
Power of attorney letters are not "visit the tramau unit anytime you want" tickets. When it was time to make a decision about organ transplantation Langbehn was consulted.
23
21
You can also contact members of the Board for the human race by email:
stfu@callsomeonewhogivesashit.org
You can also contact members of the Board for the human race by email:
stfu@callsomeonewhogivesashit.org
24
Do not forget - this is FLORIDA! This is a state that has placed in their constitution that same-sex couples can never get married there and this is the ONLY state that specificially forbids gays from adopting children, even ones in foster care with them.
YES - call this hospital! YES - tell them exactly what you think. No hospital in their right mind is going to keep a husband or wife from their spouse, or children from their mother when it became obvious she was going to die and she was there for that length of time. You all know damn well if it was some sad man and his kids wanting to see his wife, they would've bent over backwards to get him as much time as possible to see her before she died.
Florida is the absolute worst state for LGBT's and their families. Even if this case had gotten to the actual discrimination complaint and not dismissed it before that, it doesn't change the fact that while many states either do not support gay families or have laws actively against them, Florida remains the most outwardly hostile in it's laws.
DO NOT visit this freaking state - DO NOT support them in any way and call the damn hospital over and over to let them know exactly what to expect if they treat a gay person with any less dignity and respect than anyone else. These women and their children deserved more than what this hospital and the state of Florida decided they should have.
YES - call this hospital! YES - tell them exactly what you think. No hospital in their right mind is going to keep a husband or wife from their spouse, or children from their mother when it became obvious she was going to die and she was there for that length of time. You all know damn well if it was some sad man and his kids wanting to see his wife, they would've bent over backwards to get him as much time as possible to see her before she died.
Florida is the absolute worst state for LGBT's and their families. Even if this case had gotten to the actual discrimination complaint and not dismissed it before that, it doesn't change the fact that while many states either do not support gay families or have laws actively against them, Florida remains the most outwardly hostile in it's laws.
DO NOT visit this freaking state - DO NOT support them in any way and call the damn hospital over and over to let them know exactly what to expect if they treat a gay person with any less dignity and respect than anyone else. These women and their children deserved more than what this hospital and the state of Florida decided they should have.
25
I just read the court's decision. (Anybody can get an account that lets you read federal stuff for really cheap.)
Admittedly, I'm no genius, but I did my best to read it. I also looked up the reputation of the judge - a Clinton appointee, seems to be among the best we have.
Back to the court case: if you do intend to call the numbers on behalf of our too-busy Editorial Director, the court decision makes clear there is waaaaay more going on than you'd guess from just the above blurb. Who did what to whom and why looks a little different from what it seems in the article above.
Admittedly, I'm no genius, but I did my best to read it. I also looked up the reputation of the judge - a Clinton appointee, seems to be among the best we have.
Back to the court case: if you do intend to call the numbers on behalf of our too-busy Editorial Director, the court decision makes clear there is waaaaay more going on than you'd guess from just the above blurb. Who did what to whom and why looks a little different from what it seems in the article above.
26
The corporate offices of the chain that owns Jackson Memorial Hospital are in Seattle:
phone: (206) 323-7101
phone: (206) 323-7101
28
25
You are way too kind, gus.
What you are trying to say
is that Dan is a
demagogic lying hate-mongering
misrepresenting hysterical credulous
clueless jack-off sack of shit.
Isn't that it?
You are way too kind, gus.
What you are trying to say
is that Dan is a
demagogic lying hate-mongering
misrepresenting hysterical credulous
clueless jack-off sack of shit.
Isn't that it?
35
Please forward widely…
Seattle LGBT Equality Weekend October 10 – 11, 2009
Seattle OUTProtest has brought together a grassroots coalition of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and straight people and organizations to organize a series of solidarity events to coincide with the National March for Equality this October.
March and Rally
Forty years after the Stonewall Rebellion, we march in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and allies in Washington, DC to demand equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states and to show our public support for the Approval of Referendum 71 here in Washington state.
Sunday, October 11
2:00 pm: Volunteer Park, 10th Ave E & E Prospect
5:00 pm: Rally, Federal Courthouse, 7th & Stewart
Thinking Queerly: Community Workshops on LGBT Issues
Community organizers and activists will present a series of workshops on a range of issues affecting the lgbt community including Stonewall and lgbt movement history, homelessness, hate crimes and self defense, lgbt health, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, lgbt legal issues, Gay-Straight Alliances, marriage equality, and more.
Saturday, October 10
9:30 am to 5 pm
Piggot Auditorium, Seattle University
HIV/AIDS Vigil
As the AIDS pandemic nears its fourth decade, we gather to educate and raise awareness about the continued struggles of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families, friends, and support networks as well as to demand all resources and all funding necessary for prevention, treatment, and a cure.
Saturday, October 10
Starting at 6 pm
Seattle Central Community College South Plaza, Broadway & E Pine
Generation Q Mega Mixer
Come mingle and mix with seasoned leaders and activists of the GLBTQ community at the Generation Q Mega Mixer. Young leaders (25 and under please) will have the opportunity to socialize, learn from, and quite possibly have a dance off with some of the community's most inspiring members in a relaxed social environment.
Sunday, October 11
6:30 pm
Sole Repair Shop, 1001 E Pike
Seattle LGBT Equality Weekend March & Rally
http://nationalmarch.seattleoutprotest.o…
Get involved with one of our planning committees! Contact for more time and details:
March/Rally Committee, March@seattleoutprotest.org
Workshops Committee, Workshops@seattleoutprotest.org
Outreach Committee, Outreach@seattleoutprotest.org
Mixer Committee, Mixer@seattleoutprotest.org
HIV/AIDS Vigil Committee, Vigil@seattleoutprotest.org
Biweekly General Organizing Meetings, please contact whitney@seattleoutprotest.org for time and location.
National Equality March: Equality Across America
www.equalityacrossamerica.org
Approve Referendum 71
Keep the Domestic Partnership Law
More...
Seattle LGBT Equality Weekend October 10 – 11, 2009
Seattle OUTProtest has brought together a grassroots coalition of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and straight people and organizations to organize a series of solidarity events to coincide with the National March for Equality this October.
March and Rally
Forty years after the Stonewall Rebellion, we march in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and allies in Washington, DC to demand equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states and to show our public support for the Approval of Referendum 71 here in Washington state.
Sunday, October 11
2:00 pm: Volunteer Park, 10th Ave E & E Prospect
5:00 pm: Rally, Federal Courthouse, 7th & Stewart
Thinking Queerly: Community Workshops on LGBT Issues
Community organizers and activists will present a series of workshops on a range of issues affecting the lgbt community including Stonewall and lgbt movement history, homelessness, hate crimes and self defense, lgbt health, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, lgbt legal issues, Gay-Straight Alliances, marriage equality, and more.
Saturday, October 10
9:30 am to 5 pm
Piggot Auditorium, Seattle University
HIV/AIDS Vigil
As the AIDS pandemic nears its fourth decade, we gather to educate and raise awareness about the continued struggles of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families, friends, and support networks as well as to demand all resources and all funding necessary for prevention, treatment, and a cure.
Saturday, October 10
Starting at 6 pm
Seattle Central Community College South Plaza, Broadway & E Pine
Generation Q Mega Mixer
Come mingle and mix with seasoned leaders and activists of the GLBTQ community at the Generation Q Mega Mixer. Young leaders (25 and under please) will have the opportunity to socialize, learn from, and quite possibly have a dance off with some of the community's most inspiring members in a relaxed social environment.
Sunday, October 11
6:30 pm
Sole Repair Shop, 1001 E Pike
Seattle LGBT Equality Weekend March & Rally
http://nationalmarch.seattleoutprotest.o…
Get involved with one of our planning committees! Contact for more time and details:
March/Rally Committee, March@seattleoutprotest.org
Workshops Committee, Workshops@seattleoutprotest.org
Outreach Committee, Outreach@seattleoutprotest.org
Mixer Committee, Mixer@seattleoutprotest.org
HIV/AIDS Vigil Committee, Vigil@seattleoutprotest.org
Biweekly General Organizing Meetings, please contact whitney@seattleoutprotest.org for time and location.
National Equality March: Equality Across America
www.equalityacrossamerica.org
Approve Referendum 71
Keep the Domestic Partnership Law
36
First, this is yet another reason why I need to get the fuck out of Florida. Second, the use of the term "allegedly" is perfectly normal in a pleading. The jury or judge acts as a fact finder in legal cases, so until something has been proven in a court of law, it is an alleged fact. It doesn't mean that the pleading is lying or stretching the truth. Third, I don't believe this hospitals PR person at all. Phil in Colorado is correct that no hospital in FL would keep a husband from his wife, or wife from her husband in a situation like this.
37
actually, the AARP should be freaking the fuck out about this - Florida is full of retirees who have someone with a durable power of attorney. they're not just denying gay partners, they're setting a precedent that also leaves adult children, siblings, or friends chosen to handle trauma and end-of-life issues powerless. this is really scary stuff.
39
36
So since the Judge has ruled we can assume the allegations were heaps of lying shit and the lesbo a lying shit hole?
So since the Judge has ruled we can assume the allegations were heaps of lying shit and the lesbo a lying shit hole?
40
37 - except what are they odds that they would do anything bad to "adult children, siblings, or friends"? I'd say zero. It's only the gays they'd use this new-found power against. (Same way those old sodomy laws were only applied to gay couples even though plenty of straight couples practice sodomy.)
41
Ahhh, baconcat. Tireless advocate for The Stranger's point of view and favorite staff sycophant. Dude, you really want into the Honeycomb Hideout badly, don't you? Those mean girls at The Stranger just might make you an honorary Heather if you keep this up...good luck!
43
In a police report, alleged describes a witness account that isn't confirmed firsthand. Sadly, criminal investigation in the contemporary era still relies on witnesses by far more than any other kind of data. In the press alleged is used to dismiss anyone or anything the paper or the journalist wants to dismiss.
This, by the way, is the same state, the same county even, that put George W. Bush into office in 2000, as a Christmas present from his dear brother Jeb by arbitrary disenfranchisement of everyone on Jeb's six-digit shit list.
This presents a living example of why power of attorney is no longer enough; why nothing short of marital rights is going to be enough to establish equality for gays. And Florida is why this will have to happen on a national level.
This, by the way, is the same state, the same county even, that put George W. Bush into office in 2000, as a Christmas present from his dear brother Jeb by arbitrary disenfranchisement of everyone on Jeb's six-digit shit list.
This presents a living example of why power of attorney is no longer enough; why nothing short of marital rights is going to be enough to establish equality for gays. And Florida is why this will have to happen on a national level.
46
That's great -denying rights to everyone just so you don't have to show a little compassion towards the gays.
49
while there may be undertones, it looks pretty clear that the denial of access in the trauma unit is routine, regardless of relationship or documentation, so methinks Dan jumped the gun/went overboard. Does nothing to help 'the movement' to do that.
You don't get to be with your loved one everywhere, the OR, the ER depending on what they need to do and the situation in the ER itself at that time, and, yes, the trauma unit. It is not only legal but reasonable for the hospital to do this.
Now, in this particular case, it might be that bias played a role, however, that would be very very difficult to ascertain with any clarity, and absent that, well, they're innocent until proven guilty and though the burden of proof is of course lower in civil proceedings it doesn't look like even that can be shown... it's he said-she said at this point.
So, is it really fair to run off screaming unfair? Doesn't seem like it to me. There are lying cheating homosexuals just as there are straights, who take will take advantage of a tragedy (though that is not proven in this instance either).
You don't get to be with your loved one everywhere, the OR, the ER depending on what they need to do and the situation in the ER itself at that time, and, yes, the trauma unit. It is not only legal but reasonable for the hospital to do this.
Now, in this particular case, it might be that bias played a role, however, that would be very very difficult to ascertain with any clarity, and absent that, well, they're innocent until proven guilty and though the burden of proof is of course lower in civil proceedings it doesn't look like even that can be shown... it's he said-she said at this point.
So, is it really fair to run off screaming unfair? Doesn't seem like it to me. There are lying cheating homosexuals just as there are straights, who take will take advantage of a tragedy (though that is not proven in this instance either).
52
@51, My feelings in a nutshell.
I'd contact the directors of the hospital or someone, but this is really just a reflection of what a fucked up society we live in. I think the haters are winning...
I'd contact the directors of the hospital or someone, but this is really just a reflection of what a fucked up society we live in. I think the haters are winning...
53
49 -
This events of this story played out a couple of years ago. It became common knowledge about the length of time Lisa was in the hospital before she died, and the considerable amount of time she was there after they KNEW she was dying.
This case needed to be heard and the reasons the hospital denied so much access explored. The SECOND they knew she was going to die, every accomodation should've been given to that family to spend time together and now the real reasons may never be known. Should the family have been given unlimited access to Lisa? Of course not - they were trying to save her life, but the whole case was about if discrimination and bias played a role in the meager amount of time they had together and the way she claims she was treated. She was 3000 miles away from home with her 3 kids getting ready to board a cruise. Her side of the story deserved to be heard in court.
This events of this story played out a couple of years ago. It became common knowledge about the length of time Lisa was in the hospital before she died, and the considerable amount of time she was there after they KNEW she was dying.
This case needed to be heard and the reasons the hospital denied so much access explored. The SECOND they knew she was going to die, every accomodation should've been given to that family to spend time together and now the real reasons may never be known. Should the family have been given unlimited access to Lisa? Of course not - they were trying to save her life, but the whole case was about if discrimination and bias played a role in the meager amount of time they had together and the way she claims she was treated. She was 3000 miles away from home with her 3 kids getting ready to board a cruise. Her side of the story deserved to be heard in court.
54
53 -
I don't know all the finer points of the case - and I didn't say it wasn't possible bias played a part - and if there was a reasonable chance that bias could be shown, then both sides should have been heard. If the time was 'meager' meaning short, then it is possible that confusion and chaos played a role, as well as possibly bias. I'm not denying bias was possible or occurred, I"m just sayin, that for good reason, the law presumes innocence (that's very handy when you're the one accused) and that the federal court might well have acted in good faith with that in mind. Regardless, the reaction of some strikes me as histrionic rather than attempting to take a more careful look before running off to man the phones and email.
I'm skeptical both of the ability as well as the desirability to chase after issues like bias and discrimination in tragic circumstances when the situation is fuzzy even if definitely unfortunate. Judgment and reason get clouded by the tragedy, and the temptation to receive money as recompense, as if it somehow can ease the pain or lead to 'justice' (for something priceless) also distorts the picture.
Having had the love of my life die, quite young, I do know something about that grief. I had my power of attorney and it was never questioned, so in that sense I was fortunate, I was there. There were, however, questions as to the level of care he got. But how do you really know if it was an unfortunate result of people doing the best they can and acting in good faith in a difficult situation, or something else? I'm not sure in many cases it can be known, and a particular result in litigation wouldn't actually change that, even if I understand that some might like that result to hang their feelings on... but that desire for a definitive conclusion doesn't mean one can be had or that anyone is entitled to one.
More...
I don't know all the finer points of the case - and I didn't say it wasn't possible bias played a part - and if there was a reasonable chance that bias could be shown, then both sides should have been heard. If the time was 'meager' meaning short, then it is possible that confusion and chaos played a role, as well as possibly bias. I'm not denying bias was possible or occurred, I"m just sayin, that for good reason, the law presumes innocence (that's very handy when you're the one accused) and that the federal court might well have acted in good faith with that in mind. Regardless, the reaction of some strikes me as histrionic rather than attempting to take a more careful look before running off to man the phones and email.
I'm skeptical both of the ability as well as the desirability to chase after issues like bias and discrimination in tragic circumstances when the situation is fuzzy even if definitely unfortunate. Judgment and reason get clouded by the tragedy, and the temptation to receive money as recompense, as if it somehow can ease the pain or lead to 'justice' (for something priceless) also distorts the picture.
Having had the love of my life die, quite young, I do know something about that grief. I had my power of attorney and it was never questioned, so in that sense I was fortunate, I was there. There were, however, questions as to the level of care he got. But how do you really know if it was an unfortunate result of people doing the best they can and acting in good faith in a difficult situation, or something else? I'm not sure in many cases it can be known, and a particular result in litigation wouldn't actually change that, even if I understand that some might like that result to hang their feelings on... but that desire for a definitive conclusion doesn't mean one can be had or that anyone is entitled to one.
55
That's it mr Savage jump right into gutter, and drag everyone else with you. Don't let the dead rest in peace, and disturb those ailing and those tending to them. Anything to get your way.
56
I live in Broward County (just north of Miami/Dade). We have the fastest growing gay population in the country, and Fort Lauderdale has the highest percentage of gays living in it. So this is really disturbing. I'm not really all that well versed on this case, but as with most things legal, I'm sure it's more complicated that what can be put in a news blurb.
I lived with and ER doctor for nearly a decade, and there are times when the family wants to be there but it's just not possible.
I had to go to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. Not the most liberal state in the union. I have to say that there was never any time that my partner wasn't as welcome as any other spouse. I had a preconceived notion about what to expect, and I was proved totally wrong.
I love where I live, but even I have to admit that Fort Lauderdale is like a bastion of liberalism surrounded by a sea of lunatics.
I lived with and ER doctor for nearly a decade, and there are times when the family wants to be there but it's just not possible.
I had to go to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. Not the most liberal state in the union. I have to say that there was never any time that my partner wasn't as welcome as any other spouse. I had a preconceived notion about what to expect, and I was proved totally wrong.
I love where I live, but even I have to admit that Fort Lauderdale is like a bastion of liberalism surrounded by a sea of lunatics.
57
Global Traveler, I work in a hospital just a stone's throw from MD Anderson and was pleased when I started that in my critical care unit, everyone was welcome. Just a couple people at a time, but come on in partners or "friends". Visiting privileges are very much a hospital and nursing culture decision. Each major hospital in the Medical Center handles hours, number of people, degree of relation to patient, etc. differently (or even within the same hospital). I could be persuaded that Jackson Memorial was/is "just" terribly behind the vast majority of ICUs in their policy, but I would have to be presented with plenty of cases where opposite marriage spouses were denied entry. I'd be interested to know what Jackson Memorial's policy is on family presence during codes, a widely implemented practice.
I'd need to read the judge's ruling to get a grasp on the case, but I'm disappointed (to put it mildly) with the nursing staff. Nurses' licensure compels them include family in their patient care and I myself would have just done it without "permission", the hell with whatever some doc or nurse manager said.
As for power of attorney, I can't speak for other states, but that don't mean much in Texas. There have been cases of doctors ignoring the directives of parent's of minor children (absolutely no need for power of attorney in that relationship) with no real consequence for the doctor. Also, medical power of attorney expires at death, which means if the legal next of kin wants to claim the body, they can regardless of even a hospital that respects partnerships. This is why marriage equality matters.
A last fun fact, common-law marriage in Texas doesn't require that you live together or mingle finances for some minimum length of time. It's good enough that you both call it a marriage and make that known to your family, friends, co-workers, etc. That common-law spouse is then legally next of kin that can make medical decisions if you're unconscious, yet years-together gay couples who hold a marriage license from another state get nothing.
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I'd need to read the judge's ruling to get a grasp on the case, but I'm disappointed (to put it mildly) with the nursing staff. Nurses' licensure compels them include family in their patient care and I myself would have just done it without "permission", the hell with whatever some doc or nurse manager said.
As for power of attorney, I can't speak for other states, but that don't mean much in Texas. There have been cases of doctors ignoring the directives of parent's of minor children (absolutely no need for power of attorney in that relationship) with no real consequence for the doctor. Also, medical power of attorney expires at death, which means if the legal next of kin wants to claim the body, they can regardless of even a hospital that respects partnerships. This is why marriage equality matters.
A last fun fact, common-law marriage in Texas doesn't require that you live together or mingle finances for some minimum length of time. It's good enough that you both call it a marriage and make that known to your family, friends, co-workers, etc. That common-law spouse is then legally next of kin that can make medical decisions if you're unconscious, yet years-together gay couples who hold a marriage license from another state get nothing.
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TX Nurse, common law marriage in Texas does require that the common law spouses live together--it's one of the three requirements listed in the Family Code.
59
Here is the letter I sent to eight of the hospital's executives yesterday....
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I just read a story regarding an incident that occurred at one of your facilities, Jackson Memorial Hospital, in February 2007 involving a couple, Janice Langbehn and Lisa Pond, and their children. They were in your state preparing to travel on a cruise from a local port in Miami when Lisa Pond suffered a massive stroke and, by no choice of theirs, were rushed to your facility for care. Unfortunately, it appears that the “care” you were obligated to provide instead led more to a senseless trajectory of heartache and pain for your patient’s family. Despite providing your staff members with a power of attorney, Lisa Pond’s partner of 18 years was denied the right to be in the hospital room while she lying there dying. Instead, Lisa Pond was forced to die alone, amongst strangers, in a foreign place, away from the person who she loved the most for the past two decades. Why? Because of the insensitivity of your staff and the policies of your facility. Apparently because they were not “legally” related. And how could they be legally related? By being married. The catch-22 here is that they can only be legally related by getting married and that is not “legally” allowed – especially in your state. So they did everything possible to protect themselves by drawing up a power of attorney – which your staff “legally” ignored.
I’ve been in the healthcare profession for more than 20 years and have cared for patients in exactly these circumstances. If I denied the right of a loved one to spend the last hours and minutes with their wife, husband, partner or child (for no good reason), I don’t think I’d be able to sleep at night, no less go back and do my job every day with good conscience. Being an insider and knowing exactly what goes on behind the curtains of a hospital, you and I both know that there is absolutely no good reason why you cannot allow a loved one access to the bedside in those last hours and minutes. Unless of course you’re overtly discriminating against someone.
You should all be ashamed of yourself. You’ve committed a grave and senseless error, to which you still have taken no responsibility. Shameful. And not becoming of a healthcare professional. Your motto – “One of America’s Finest Medical Facilities” – is arguable. But I guess your hubris speaks for itself. My heart aches for the family you’ve shattered here and any other family that unknowingly walks into your facility only to meet a similar level of discrimination.
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
I just read a story regarding an incident that occurred at one of your facilities, Jackson Memorial Hospital, in February 2007 involving a couple, Janice Langbehn and Lisa Pond, and their children. They were in your state preparing to travel on a cruise from a local port in Miami when Lisa Pond suffered a massive stroke and, by no choice of theirs, were rushed to your facility for care. Unfortunately, it appears that the “care” you were obligated to provide instead led more to a senseless trajectory of heartache and pain for your patient’s family. Despite providing your staff members with a power of attorney, Lisa Pond’s partner of 18 years was denied the right to be in the hospital room while she lying there dying. Instead, Lisa Pond was forced to die alone, amongst strangers, in a foreign place, away from the person who she loved the most for the past two decades. Why? Because of the insensitivity of your staff and the policies of your facility. Apparently because they were not “legally” related. And how could they be legally related? By being married. The catch-22 here is that they can only be legally related by getting married and that is not “legally” allowed – especially in your state. So they did everything possible to protect themselves by drawing up a power of attorney – which your staff “legally” ignored.
I’ve been in the healthcare profession for more than 20 years and have cared for patients in exactly these circumstances. If I denied the right of a loved one to spend the last hours and minutes with their wife, husband, partner or child (for no good reason), I don’t think I’d be able to sleep at night, no less go back and do my job every day with good conscience. Being an insider and knowing exactly what goes on behind the curtains of a hospital, you and I both know that there is absolutely no good reason why you cannot allow a loved one access to the bedside in those last hours and minutes. Unless of course you’re overtly discriminating against someone.
You should all be ashamed of yourself. You’ve committed a grave and senseless error, to which you still have taken no responsibility. Shameful. And not becoming of a healthcare professional. Your motto – “One of America’s Finest Medical Facilities” – is arguable. But I guess your hubris speaks for itself. My heart aches for the family you’ve shattered here and any other family that unknowingly walks into your facility only to meet a similar level of discrimination.
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powerful letter, simon.
for a minute i entertained the pssibility that our troll is actually ignatius j. reilly. then i realized that ignatius would exercise much more taste and decency in his choice of language. gross troll.
for a minute i entertained the pssibility that our troll is actually ignatius j. reilly. then i realized that ignatius would exercise much more taste and decency in his choice of language. gross troll.
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@49 and 53
I agree. I work in an ER, and I know how bad the volume can be and how toxic (and vengeful) family members can be. That may not be what happened here at all, but I would like to see some facts in this case (not just allegations) before I am willing to believe the worst about the hospital and act on it. These are absolutely noxious crimes being attributed to the social worker and hospital staff, and they must be presumed innocent before being condemned as guilty of something so horrible. A mob mentality is not what is needed here.
Now, I'm just waiting for someone to ask "but why would someone lie about something like that?"
I agree. I work in an ER, and I know how bad the volume can be and how toxic (and vengeful) family members can be. That may not be what happened here at all, but I would like to see some facts in this case (not just allegations) before I am willing to believe the worst about the hospital and act on it. These are absolutely noxious crimes being attributed to the social worker and hospital staff, and they must be presumed innocent before being condemned as guilty of something so horrible. A mob mentality is not what is needed here.
Now, I'm just waiting for someone to ask "but why would someone lie about something like that?"
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This shit doesn't just happen in Florida. When Kate Fleming -- the Seattle actress who drowned when her home was flooded a couple years ago -- was taken to Harborview, her partner Charlene Strong was banned from the room until a family member gave permission for her to be with her dying partner.
I know I'm preaching to the choir here on Slog, for the most part. But just in case anyone reading actually supports the decisions of the hospital administrators on the basis of religion, I make one request: please take a moment to consider whether your faith makes you more compassionate, more loving, and more empathetic. Real people, real children, are devastated by these heartless decisions. Denying a dying person the comfort and support of her loved ones in her final moments isn't going to help her find her way home to your Jesus.
I know I'm preaching to the choir here on Slog, for the most part. But just in case anyone reading actually supports the decisions of the hospital administrators on the basis of religion, I make one request: please take a moment to consider whether your faith makes you more compassionate, more loving, and more empathetic. Real people, real children, are devastated by these heartless decisions. Denying a dying person the comfort and support of her loved ones in her final moments isn't going to help her find her way home to your Jesus.
63
My last post was incomplete. Should have read, "Denying a dying person the comfort and support of her loved ones in her final moments won't help her find her way home to your Jesus. It will only bring a lonely death and a lifetime of heartache for her family."
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