Miami Hospital Barred Lesbian From Seeing Dying Partner

[FlamingFemme]

South Florida Sun-Sentinel Article

For those of you who are opposed to gay marriage/rights:
Do you think this is fair? Just? Moral?
And if you think this is an isolated case, think again. This happens all the time, all over the country (though, notably less often in more progressive states), and this is one of the main reasons why those of us in the GLBT community need equal rights.
Your thoughts?

 

[selfinflikted]

That's really sad, and something I've been afraid of happening to me and my partner. They'd probably have to drag me out of the hospital with flying fists though.

 

[FlamingFemme]

That's really sad, and something I've been afraid of happening to me and my partner. They'd probably have to drag me out of the hospital with flying fists though.

Me, too. In fact, I'm afraid that it would end up being a "John Q" situation, where I'm brandishing firepower in order to find out what is happening with my Beloved. Even though I live in a state where same-sex marriage is legal, it's still scary that something like this could happen - Even in Florida - In this day and age.

 

[selfinflikted]

Me, too. In fact, I'm afraid that it would end up being a "John Q" situation, where I'm brandishing firepower in order to find out what is happening with my Beloved. Even though I live in a state where same-sex marriage is legal, it's still scary that something like this could happen - Even in Florida - In this day and age.

I know, and I hardly ever advocate the use of violence, BUT if my partner were seriously ill in the hospital and someone tried to keep me out.. oh boy, someone should pray for them.

 

[Lisa0315]

South Florida Sun-Sentinel Article

For those of you who are opposed to gay marriage/rights:
Do you think this is fair? Just? Moral?
And if you think this is an isolated case, think again. This happens all the time, all over the country (though, notably less often in more progressive states), and this is one of the main reasons why those of us in the GLBT community need equal rights.
Your thoughts?

I am a Conservative Christian and I do believe that sexual sin is sin. That said, from a legal standpoint, this should not have happened. From PERSONAL experience with Jackson Memorial, I am not a bit surprised.

My husband was in a terrible accident and was airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center, part of the Jackson Memorial complex. It is right next door to the emergency room and the main hospital. My first view of my husband was horrifying. Not only were his injuries terrible, but the sheet was tangled at his feet and his hospital gown was bunched up above his waist. He was completely naked and exposed to a very open area in the ICU. There are 6 beds in each unit and people passing in the halls can see right in. There are no walls. They assumed (because of the area) that he was indigent and they absolutely treated him as such. It should not have mattered whether he was a wino or a husband and father. The treatment should have been the same and they should have shown respect for his dignity. They didn't. I had a lawyer on site within five hours and EVERYTHING CHANGED.

It is the worst hospital in the world and they do make personal judgments about patients with little or zero basis. I hope that the woman wins her case.

Lisa

 

[FlamingFemme]

I am a Conservative Christian and I do believe that sexual sin is sin. That said, from a legal standpoint, this should not have happened. From PERSONAL experience with Jackson Memorial, I am not a bit surprised.

My husband was in a terrible accident and was airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center, part of the Jackson Memorial complex. It is right next door to the emergency room and the main hospital. My first view of my husband was horrifying. Not only were his injuries terrible, but the sheet was tangled at his feet and his hospital gown was bunched up above his waist. He was completely naked and exposed to a very open area in the ICU. There are 6 beds in each unit and people passing in the halls can see right in. There are no walls. They assumed (because of the area) that he was indigent and they absolutely treated him as such. It should not have mattered whether he was a wino or a husband and father. The treatment should have been the same and they should have shown respect for his dignity. They didn't. I had a lawyer on site within five hours and EVERYTHING CHANGED.

It is the worst hospital in the world and they do make personal judgments about patients with little or zero basis. I hope that the woman wins her case.

Lisa

I'm sorry that happened to you. I am also glad to hear that you believe this woman was wronged. I hope she wins her case, too, and maybe it will wake them up to what can happen when they blatanly disregard the law.

 

[LittleNipper]

The only really bad thing is that the patients will eventually pay ---- through the nose...

 

[FlamingFemme]

The only really bad thing is that the patients will eventually pay ---- through the nose...

You might be right about that, but what would you have this woman do? Forgive and forget? Which, granted, she may eventually do, but the fact is that her partner of 18 YEARS died after being in the hospital for more than 18 hours, and she wasn't able to be there, hold her hand, talk to her, ANYTHING. If this was you, and the sick person was your wife, how would you feel?

 

[Lisa0315]

I'm sorry that happened to you. I am also glad to hear that you believe this woman was wronged. I hope she wins her case, too, and maybe it will wake them up to what can happen when they blatanly disregard the law.

Regardless of my faith, that hospital need to get its act together. It is one of the most horrible places I have ever been. Some of the nurses were wonderful, but that is about the best I can say about it.

The problem is that downtown Miami is extremely depressed and riddled with gang wars and the homeless. The medical staff have become very heartless because of the utter chaos that is constant there. They are pretty much incompetent as well. They "lost" my husband at one point and then threatened to throw me out of the hospital if I didn't calm down.

This story is very sad and she deserved to have her family there.

Lisa

 

[Tinker Grey]

The only really bad thing is that the patients will eventually pay ---- through the nose...

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding you ... are you saying that denying children access to a woman they regarded as mother was good thing?

 

[Lisa0315]

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding you ... are you saying that denying children access to a woman they regarded as mother was good thing?

I think the poster meant the only bad thing about the lawsuit.

Lisa

 

[FlamingFemme]

The only really bad thing is that the patients will eventually pay ---- through the nose...

I would also really like to hear whether or not the hospital did the right thing in denying a woman the right to see her dying wife and her children the right to see their other mother.

 

[Tinker Grey]

I think the poster meant the only bad thing about the lawsuit.

Lisa

I hope you're right.

 

[FlamingFemme]

I think the poster meant the only bad thing about the lawsuit.

Lisa

I like to give people the benefit of the doubt most of the time, so I, too, am hoping that that is what he meant.

 

[FlamingFemme]

I would still like to hear from those who oppose equal rights for gays/lesbians on whether this was wrong in their eyes.

 

[BigBadWlf]

Regardless of my faith, that hospital need to get its act together.

This story is very sad and she deserved to have her family there.

Lisa

But your faith is the basis for what is happening to this poor woman.

Maybe you need to examine how your faith contributes to discrimination like this

 

[FlamingFemme]

But your faith is the basis for what is happening to this poor woman.

Maybe you need to examine how your faith contributes to discrimination like this

This was kinda my point (in a not-so-direct way). How can someone justify bigotry/hatred based on their faith when it affects people, REAL human beings, in this way? I would still really, really like to hear from some of the anti-gay faithful around here on this subject, but it seems as if they don't like being confronted with real-world examples of how their beliefs affect other members of our human family.

 

[Lisa0315]

Well, as the only Conservative who has dared...

I have very, very mixed emotions about the practice of homosexuality. I believe in a literal interpretation of Scripture in regards to any sexual sin. Yet, I do feel a greater compassion for GLB's than I do for adulterous Christians. (Yes, I did leave T's off intentionally, but that is another story)

I do not want to deny the rights of anyone. I have seen and talked with people who are in so much pain trying to deal with their sexuality and also who clearly love and want to please God.

At the same time, I believe that marriage is a holy institution. If the government wants to grant rights to gay couples via civil ceremonies, I do not have a problem with it. I do have a problem if a gay couple were to attempt to force a minister or a church to perform a service or allow them to have their ceremony in the church.

If a church, minister, and a congregation cannot in good conscience allow such a union, then, don't force it. It is not discrimination. Don't label it so. We can no more change our beliefs than you can change your orientation. Okay?

If we are not to legislate our beliefs on you, then, do not legislate yours on us.

Again, I understand the need for giving rights to life long partners especially those who have children together. I understand the financial and legal benefits that are being denied. However, it can easily go the other direction in which Christianity is treated like a pariah. If you do not want to be treated in that manner, then, don't treat us that way.

I do not hate anyone.

Lisa

 

[WatersMoon110]

Well, as the only Conservative who has dared...

I have very, very mixed emotions about the practice of homosexuality. I believe in a literal interpretation of Scripture in regards to any sexual sin. Yet, I do feel a greater compassion for GLB's than I do for adulterous Christians. (Yes, I did leave T's off intentionally, but that is another story)

I do not want to deny the rights of anyone. I have seen and talked with people who are in so much pain trying to deal with their sexuality and also who clearly love and want to please God.

At the same time, I believe that marriage is a holy institution. If the government wants to grant rights to gay couples via civil ceremonies, I do not have a problem with it. I do have a problem if a gay couple were to attempt to force a minister or a church to perform a service or allow them to have their ceremony in the church.

If a church, minister, and a congregation cannot in good conscience allow such a union, then, don't force it. It is not discrimination. Don't label it so. We can no more change our beliefs than you can change your orientation. Okay?

If we are not to legislate our beliefs on you, then, do not legislate yours on us.

Again, I understand the need for giving rights to life long partners especially those who have children together. I understand the financial and legal benefits that are being denied. However, it can easily go the other direction in which Christianity is treated like a pariah. If you do not want to be treated in that manner, then, don't treat us that way.

I do not hate anyone.

I'm pretty sure that all churches, being private organizations, have the right to not marry anyone they don't want to marry. Catholic churches won't marry any non-Catholics, and some churches won't marry anyone who isn't a member. I don't think that any church would be forced to marry a gay couple if they didn't want to.

And if someone tried to sue a church for that, I would feel (just like you) that they were wrong in doing so.

 

[BigBadWlf]

This was kinda my point (in a not-so-direct way). How can someone justify bigotry/hatred based on their faith when it affects people, REAL human beings, in this way? I would still really, really like to hear from some of the anti-gay faithful around here on this subject, but it seems as if they don't like being confronted with real-world examples of how their beliefs affect other members of our human family.

Racists use their faith to justify their views. So to anti-Semites. What the anti-gay crowd is doing isn’t unique and sadly in their minds is just as justified as those who support segregation and bans on interracial marriage