Dying Lesbian's Partner Denied Access in Florida

Image from ByteLand

Championing gay rights has never been a primary focus of this blog. The issue is important to me, but there are countless other blogs devoted to the topic that can do a more thorough and focused job of it. In this case, I'm going to make an exception.

Most Americans seem to think that any gay rights issue has to do with "special rights." They'll say that gay people have the same rights as anybody else, and that any other rights granted to them would be above and beyond what straight people have. It's never been true, but it is difficult to get people to understand that. This story should illustrate to even the hardest hearted of you (a group I'm often accused of belonging to), exactly why the fight for gay civil rights is important.

[Excerpt]

Dying Lesbian's Partner Denied Access To Her

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. [snip]

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. . .

Read more at: 365Gay.com