Gay Woman,3 Kids Denied Dying Partner Visitation, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Fla.

[bluedawg12]

This story ought to have hot acid coming out of our ears. What an example of ugly, mean spirited, uncompassionate, homophobic bigotry.

Love the sin hate the sinner? Bullpucky! Hate and willfull prejudice, gleeful vindictive prejudice, at that, seems to be at work here--"allegedly."

Even at the moment of death the dying woman was denied the comfort of her three kids and partner.

We should know the name of the hospital and every nurse, doctor and administrator that defied the principle, "above all do no harm, out on the inter net, air waves and out in the open in the cleansing light of truth.

Jackson Memorial Hospital, take the word hospital off your door in shame, no matter the Court outcome, the story as it is, is nauseating enough and stinks of inhumanity.

The legal system should give this family their day in Court, indeed! Go Lambda!

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

http://www.365gay.com/news/court-asked-to-reject-bid-to-dismiss-lesbians-case-against-fla-hospital/
Court asked to reject bid to dismiss lesbian’s case against Fla. hospital
By 365gay Newscenter Staff

(Miami, Florida) Attorneys for a woman denied access to her dying partner are asking a federal judge to reject a motion by Jackson Memorial Hospital to have a lawsuit against the facility dismissed and to allow the case to proceed to trial.

Send / ShareAdd CommentThe suit was filed by Lambda Legal, which is representing Janice Langbehn.

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 last year from Miami, 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.

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 anti-gay city and state, and she could expect to receive no information or acknowledgment as family.

A doctor finally spoke with Janice telling her that there was no chance of recovery.

Other than one five minute visit, which was orchestrated by a Catholic priest at Langbehn’s request, 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.

The lawsuit alleges negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The Public Health Trust of Miami Dade County, which runs Jackson Memorial Hospital, denies wrongdoing.

The hospital claims that it has no obligation to allow their patients’ visitors nor any obligation whatsoever to their patients’ families, healthcare surrogates, and visitors.

The Public Trust has asked the court to dismiss the case. A hearing was held Friday in federal court in Miami.

“We are here today to ensure that families get the respect they deserve at Jackson Memorial Hospital and to prevent Janice’s tragedy from happening to anyone else,” said Lambda attorney Beth Littrell.

“This family deserves to have its day in court.”

[MinneapolisMatt]

1. ...

So. Pissed.

[bluedawg12]

6. Beyond pissed, too. In-humane. Unreal and arrogant and ignorant.

[bigscott]

2. the sad thing is, they did nothing illegal

and until we get EQUAL (NOT SPECIAL) rights - this sort of thing will happen over and over again.

and people like Rick Warren don't help

Peace

[bluedawg12]

8. I don't know, I guess Institutionalized bigotry is legal as it is hideous.

We shall see - go Lambda!

[donco6]

63. But they did violate their own policy.

From the policies of the hospital:

23. These standards include but are not limited to the following:

a. That "family" is defined as "he person(s) who plays a significant role in the life. This may include a person(s) not legally related to the individual."
b. A requirement that an accredited hospital "promote patient and family involvement in all aspects of care."
c. A requirement that an accredited hospital respect the rights of patients to have their "own cultw-al, psychosocial. spiritual, and personal values, beliefs, and preferences respected."
d. A requirement that an accredited hospital support "the right of each patient/resident/client to personal dignity."
e. A requirement that an accredited hospital address the resolution of complaints from patients' families.

I get what you're saying though. I just think they do have a case here.

[Steven_D]

100. If that's the official policy

The family damn well does have a case.

[bluedawg12]

3. They have no obligation to their patient's families, health care surrogates???? WTF?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Memorial_Hospital
"Early in 2009 they denied a lesbian woman access to her partner and her children while she was dying. They stated that, " it has no obligation to allow their patients’ visitors nor any obligation whatsoever to their patients’ families, healthcare surrogates, and visitors."

The arrogance of this former leader in health care and a teacing hospital to boot!

"Jackson Memorial Hospital (also known as "Jackson" or abbreviated "JMH") is a non-profit, tertiary care teaching hospital and the major teaching hospital of the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Florida. It is owned and operated by Miami-Dade County through the Public Health Trust, and is supported by Miami-Dade County residents through a half-cent sales tax. Considered as one of America's finest hospitals." wikipeida

:grr:

[Veruca Salt]

94. I am so mad it burns....

Strip the bastards of the non-profit status. :mad:

[bluedawg12]

95. This is so unethical it is beyond comprehension and should never happend again.

Thank you for your support.

[Veruca Salt]

96. To me it's more than just unethical...

If someone denied me access to see my mum, dad, siblings or partner on their deathbed I'd be in jail and the person responsible for attempting to deny me would be in the ICU or morgue.

These are the people we love and have spent our lives with. This is denying the last moments we have together in this mortal coil. And that is depraved and sick to do that to another human being.

And it's more than that. The hospital debased this family by their actions and if anything deserves a pro bono fight to the SCOTUS to put this crap to bed once and for all it's this. Because what's next? KKK rallies driving all gay people from Florida because it's an 'anti-gay' state? That's where some towns, cities and states are trying to go with this shit. We've seen this mentality before in history a few times, and every time ending in tears and bloodshed.

Pardon my rant, but as a lesbian I KNOW it can happen to me. And I'll always support you 100%, this is my fight too. :hug:

[Deep13]

4. Cruel and malicious.

Thanks, Christians.

[bluedawg12]

11. Exactly!

[dgibby]

5. If there's a Hell,

I hope there's a special place reserved for these homophobic, hateful bastards!

[bluedawg12]

12. Every single one of them, have they no humanity?

[dgibby]

17. Evidently not.

I'm a retired RN, and am appalled by this. In addition to being morally reprehensible, it's unethical. I hope somebody sets up picket lines, demostrations, and boycotts. No one should ever be subjected to this kind of hate. I hope the appropriate accrediting/licensing organizations investigate this place. This family should ask the appropriate state boards to investigate.

On edit, if this is the hospital's attitude toward GLBT community, I'd get a copy of her medical records and hire a legal nurse consultant to go over it with a fine-toothed comb. I seriously question the quality of care she received.

[bluedawg12]

19. You got that right! You know JCAHO and how important accred. is.

They also denied medical history from the adult family member/partner/friend.

Don't care what they call the adult in the family, but, obtaining a good medical history in the case of a 39 y.o./f, who suddenly collapses of unknown causes, is basic SOC. Minimally, IMHO, they appear to have violated the SOC and failed to include pertinent medical data in evaluating a patient who then expired.

Was it a PE? Triple A?

Did she have a coagulopathy? History of malignancy? Long plane ride? Allergies? Meds? Surgical history?

For pete's sake, if the family hampster can talk and give a cogent medical history--listen!

Unreal.

[bluedawg12]

31. dgibby- if you have a chance, could you check out JCAHO regs.

I have to go to work, but, if...pretty please....you have a moment or two, I would be very interested in the wording of JCAHO on what SOC for visitation.

This is how Lambda phrased it: "Furthermore, hospitals are fully responsible for adhering to national standards for accreditation and should be held liable if those standards are not met."

"National standards for hospital accreditation allow visitation to family members; people not legally related are considered family members if they play a significant role in the patient's life."

http://www.lambdalegal.org/our-work/in-court/cases/langbehn-v-jackson-memorial.html

I'm late, gotta go.

bd12 :hi:

[glitch]

41. I'd like to see the locals create a hell on earth for the assholes responsible for this. nt

edit: changed persons to assholes, persons was too good a word for them.

[murray hill farm]

7. How can such cruelty exist?

and with such conviction? Sometimes extreme evil just stares you down. This is just sickening!

[bluedawg12]

13. Self righteous conviction, ugly and dangerous.

[mtnester]

103. Cruelty like that exists a million-fold out there

against the GLBT community. This is not new, nor is it isolated. Some levels of it are more cruel than others, but cruelty is cruetly, in words and deeds. This hospital took it to a very public level.

[get the red out]

9. Anti-gay city?

So one person or one hospital has a right to speak for an entire city? This isn't a theocracy, yet.

So upstanding of them to get their jollies by harming others, and claiming the entire city feels the same.

[bluedawg12]

14. Out of control reichwing propaganda has sunk into the pea brains

of some of these health *cough* **gag** care providers. :puke:

[bluedawg12]

10. Hospitals are accredited by JCAHO and they say -->

>>Because they are prohibited from marrying, gay and lesbian partners too often have to argue their right to hospital visits with ill loved ones. National standards for hospital accreditation allow visitation to family members; people not legally related are considered family members if they play a significant role in the patient's life. <<

http://www.lambdalegal.org/our-work/in-court/cases/langbehn-v-jackson-memorial.html

[bluedawg12]

15. More about Hospital Accrediation--that's a BIG deal to hospitals.

>>This case illustrates the need for hospitals to recognize the legitimacy of same-sex relationships so that loved ones are not kept apart at a time when they most need each other. Furthermore, hospitals are fully responsible for adhering to national standards for accreditation and should be held liable if those standards are not met. Lambda Legal has published a life planning tool-kit, a portion of which is designed to help same-sex partners protect themselves in a hospital setting by preparing legal documents in advance.<<

http://www.lambdalegal.org/our-work/in-court/cases/langbehn-v-jackson-memorial.html

The Lambda life planning tool kit sounds good, will check that out.

Shame, shame, shame Jackson Memorial. You've made wikipedia in a BAD way. Shame.

[jberryhill]

59. Presumably they also value their relationship to UMiami

...and I would guess, but could be wrong, that UMiami espouses certain relevant principles, regardless of the law.

I would hope there is a population of UMiami students which do.

Are they aware of this?

[crikkett]

16. "Love the sin hate the sinner?"

That's pretty funny, since I think you meant to write "Love the sinner hate the sin"

The story, however is NOT funny but very tragic.

Wrong in many, many ways, including the fact that the Partner is going to be the one paying the hospital bill.

Jerks.

On edit: Or, will she be paying hospital bills? I know I'd inherit my husband's medical bills (knock wood/he has none) but maybe the law can be used against the hospital, in this case.

[bluedawg12]

21. Well, malaprops are sometimes true--hate the sinner and their kids, geesh.

Why did they even interfere with the kids getting the paper work for soc sec?

Why punish the kids?

[crikkett]

42. Now that one sounds like a lawsuit. n/t

[nightrain]

18. horribly tragic. So, when did this happen and how do we contact

the CEO of Jackson Memorial Hospital?

Thanks to the DUer who posted the list of States who have taken an extreme position. I won't be going there any time soon.

I hope there is a national outcry against this kind of hatred and fear.

[bluedawg12]

24. Thanks for support on this, here is info, on Jackson Memorial Hospital

wiki has some good info. on the Dade County board, and here is the web site for

Jackson Memorial Kamp.

http://www.jhsmiami.org/


Pass this info on, it is inhumane and people do need to speak up so this never happens to any family again.

Also, this reminds us, many same sex couples do have kids.

For the love of all that's right and good, these women were taking their 3 kids on a vacation, that is a good thing, and they were all treated like sub-humans (allegedly).

[tbyg52]

91. If you prefer email rather than telephone (as I do)

I finally dug out the staff directory page:
http://www.jhsmiami.org/body.cfm?id=9401

The contacts page doesn't really have any email address suitable for submitting complaints.

[JackBeck]

20. But civil unions are clearly the best alternative.

Especially in states that only recognize heterosexual marriage. Separate but equal always wins out at the end of the day.

[bluedawg12]

30. Hospital visitation is already defined by JCAHO and they accredit hospitals.

There is a mechanism in place, no need to jump at CU's because the mechanism in place is ignored.

[nightrain]

33. is this sarcasm?

[JackBeck]

40. I defer to Justice Potter Stewart. n/t

[xchrom]

22. recommend -- think how many of these stories have gone undocumented. nt

[bluedawg12]

25. Way too many, hope this is the LAST one, Bush is gone, it's a new era time for equality!

Out with the old trash.

[nichomachus]

23. Don't worry -- we'll get around to equal rights for gays sooner or later -- chill out

These things take time . . . .

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[bluedawg12]

27. I want my pony--to look like full freaking civil rights.

We are people. We are human beings.

[nightrain]

32. yeah, and while we're waiting, people die and have unneeded distress.

If you wanted to marry and couldnt, would you feel so patient? It's f---ing discrimination, just like civil rights for African-Americans' struggles.

[nichomachus]

39. Excuse me

read my sig line, please, before you bash me . . .

For the record, my partner and I were married Oct 19 and are now waiting to see if the Ken Starr will succeed in forcibly divorcing us.

[bluedawg12]

44. We're all on the same page - bigotry in all it's insidious forms needs to be outed

any law, or policy, or practice that excludes a minority from full access to legal rights is morally wrong, there are so many variations of discrimination, so many instances that it pops up and and as in this case, allegedly, sometimes so blatantly shocking that it defies belief and is simply inhumane from the very institutions that are designed to ease human suffering, that not one speck of bigotry can be tolerated, not when it comes to marriage, the military, visitation rights, inheritance rights because, it all comes from the same fetid spring of toxic bigotry and misplaced values. If we allow and accept it in one aspect of society we are sending the message that we accept it on other aspects.

No more.

Hate8 was the last straw.

[1776Forever]

26. Terrible actions - Florida is so horrific to gay rights - Hope it goes to the Supreme Court

if necessary. Here we have the true message of sanctions for sexual orientation and that message is tragic. The real irony is that some have said that Gov. Crist is at least bi - if not gay himself. I would hope that this is looked at in a very serious manner for the entire State and Country and it is not repeated ever again!

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

[bluedawg12]

28. Spread the word about this case - this must be the LAST such case of bigotry

or hospitals should lose their accreditation.

Support Lambda.

[nichomachus]

29. I hope it goes to a jury that gives her $10 million n/t

[bluedawg12]

45. Sadly, nothing, no money, nothing can restore to this little family

the precious last hours that they lost.

[foxfeet]

34. Golly, gee. Right here on DU, I was told that this NEVER happens

because hospitals are OBLIGATED to honor durable powers of attorney. This was from a poster who obviously had never needed even to consider that it might happen to him/her. Even if the courts rule that the hospital at at fault, it is too late for this family. My heart breaks for them.

[bluedawg12]

46. The Hospital had a duty to do what's best for the patient, they opted to please themselves.

You are so right, foxffeet, that dying young woman will never have a final chance to embrace the ones that she loves before departing her mortal coil.

She was denied comfort.

I don't care if she was in a coma, one always errs on the side of the patient being able to derive some comfort from final goodbyes.

[jberryhill]

58. Interestingly, they say they owe no obligations to ANY family

...which is an interesting bit of positioning.

I would assume they owe some obligations to their PATIENT, however.

[bluedawg12]

35. Just speculating: wrongful death?

If obtaining a medical history from the partner, which they allegedly refused to accept, could have somehow saved this young woman's life?

[TechBear_Seattle]

36. It was only 8 hours, what's the big deal?

I mean, it is not like Rick Warren was speaking. Sheesh!














(I don't need to flag this as sarcasm, do I?)

[bluedawg12]

47. It was only her final goodbye to her kids and partner- good grief

the staff (allegedly) thought only about themselves and not their patient.

No emoticon needed, we know and feel the anger too.

[TechBear_Seattle]

53. I very much disagree

"The staff (allegedly) thought only about themselves and not their patient."

I disagree. As the lawsuit states, this was the intentional infliction of emotional distress. You cannot do that without thinking about the patient and her family.

[bluedawg12]

54. Oh, I see.

"The lawsuit alleges negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress."

Allow me to fully rephrase my sentence: "The staff (allegedly) thought only about themselves and not their patient."

The staff (allegedly) thought selfishly, only about themselves and their own biased point of view when they denied the family access to the dying young woman, when they denied the dying young woman the comfort of having her loved ones and family at bedside, when they denied the family the comfort of being at bedside as their loved one was dying, when they used language, presumably in the presence of the three children, that could be construed as homophobic hate language which added psychological pain and distress to the children and partner, who were already burdened with the impending tragic loss of a dying partner/parent at the end stage of life, and, in thinking only of themselves and not the patient, who was their first duty, they intentionally inflicted emotional distress on all parties involved (allegedly) and they were negligent in their duty to care for the patient first, rather than feed their own bigotry and they thought only about themselves and their own values and political ideology and they were (allegedly) negligent, when they refused to obtain a medical history from the patient's own adult family member(s) and they were negligent (allegedly)when they failed to provide timely access and documentation of the patient's demise that would have allowed the "family," defined here as the partner and three children, possession of documents necessary to obtain life insurance and social security benefits.


In short, once again, we see a case where the widows(ers) and orphans of same sex couples are treated as if they were less than human and in a way less than humane.

I agree it was (allegedly) intentional and it occurred because they were not thinking of what was best for the patient, they were thinking of themselves first, selfishly. :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[racaulk]

37. Oh, would you get over it already? Marriage is just a word!!!11!

:eyes:

Stories like this are so shameful and make my blood boil. If Langbehn were a spouse of the opposite gender, she and her children would have been granted access to their dying loved one and would have been shown nothing but courtesy, sympathy, and support from the hospital staff. Langbehn's gender does not diminish at all the love this family shared or the comfort that all five of them needed during such a horrible and difficult time.

Until full marriage equality is achieved in this country, nationwide, we will continue to see and read about stories such as these. And no, civil unions (and the rights they supposedly grant) won't cut it, because in such cases our relationships will still be seen as less than equal on a Federal level - which is ultimately what validates the bigotry that led to the shameful case we read about here.

I hope Ms. Langbehn and her children get to have their day in court, and I hope none of us ever have to suffer such an ordeal.

:mad:

[bluedawg12]

48. I want to see their day in Court and open records of all of the names

of the "healers" that, allegedly, made the tragic death of a young woman into a nightmare story.

[Starry Messenger]

38. That's just evil.

Hell, my parents have been divorced for years, but when my dad fell seriously ill and needed an advocate in the hospital my mom lied and said they were still married. No one even checked and she had full access to him until my brother and I could get there and relieve her. "Anti-gay city" needs to be sued into the ground. :mad:

[bluedawg12]

50. The health care providor that created an obstacle to good medical care

and threw humane compassion out the window, or should I say, under the bus, deserves to be fully introduced to the world by name and occupation.

Anti-gay city? How...what...WTF does that have to do with treating people like human beings?

The dying woman was denied access to her own family.

The partner could have provided pertinent medical information.

The three kids, who were taken for what should have been a joyus vacation, were put through needless bigoted hate speech. No the words: "anti-gay city" alone aren't hate speech, but in the context of denying all of the things they were denied and THAT phrase was the justification, it is brutal and inhumane and hatefilled and hatefull.

This story, allegedly, is so wrong on so many levels.

[Starry Messenger]

55. It's just sick.

What a nightmare for that family.

[jberryhill]

43. What exactly is the relationship of the University of Miami to this institution?

And why does the University of Miami have a relationship with this institution.

[bluedawg12]

51. Here is some info from wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Memorial_Hospital

[jberryhill]

57. Does the UMiami have any LGBT students?

Are they aware of this?

Or is UMiami not a place where LGBT are welcome generally?

[bluedawg12]

65. I can only speculate that there is an LGBT community intact at UMiami

and they are aware of this familie's story and hopefully, they will mobilize. Which, I assume, is your thought on this.

Above and beyond that, I also think the health care community needs to take a long hard look at this type of treatment of individuals, based, apparently solely on sexual orientation. Because, if the patient was obtunded upon arrival at the ER, or shortly thereafter, and unable to provide a complete history of her own health, then, she, the patient, appears to have been deprived of having the benefit of a surrogate speak on her behalf about her medical history. Even if that is not the case in this particular situation, in future cases, the same problem may arise, where a partner is dismissed from the health care process and vital information in the interest to good medical practice is not transmitted.

The way I see it, the first duty is to the patient.

Next, the family.

Self indulgent prejudice and bias should not enter into the equation.

For heavens sake, we provide medical treatment to the "enemy" in time of war. That's what civilized people do.

In this case, I suspect a violation of patient focused care,in lieu of politicking and self indulgent speech making about what that city is or is not in terms of "gayness," allegedly.

If it were to turn out that the family knew vital medical history that they were not allowed to provide, then, there would be some serious criminal charges possible, as well, I would speculate.

My focus would be the health care facility and their standing and reputation in the community, as well as, their credentialing and also reporting to professional organizations.

I realize I don't know all the facts, the case has not been tried, but, those principles would apply in this or any other case, should they be found culpable.

[Ioo]

49. I am Sick. REPEAL DOMA NOW.

[bluedawg12]

52. And HONOR the full faith and credit clause of the US Constitution when it comes to POA's.

Even that would be a start, as it strikes me that a Health Care POA executed in one's own State may come under the scrutiny of some pea brained, self important, half baked bigot, who decides on one dark rainy night, that any one of us caught out of State with our loved ones and finding ourselves the victim of a tragic accident, could face some reptilian brained bureaucrat who decides that our POA for health care, is worth bubkis in their fair town or city or State.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_Faith_and_Credit_Clause

>>Article IV, Section 1 of the United States Constitution, commonly known as the Full Faith and Credit Clause, addresses the duties that states within the United States have to respect the "public acts, records, and judicial rulings" of other states. According to the Supreme Court, there is a difference between the credit owed to laws (i.e. legislative measures and common law) as compared to the credit owed to judgments.<1> Judgments are generally entitled to greater respect than laws, in other states.<2> At present, it is widely agreed that this Clause of the Constitution has little impact on a court's choice of law decision,<3> although this Clause of the Constitution was once interpreted differently.<4>

28 USC §1738: Such Acts, records and judicial proceedings or copies thereof, so authenticated, shall have the same full faith and credit in every court within the US and it Territories and Possessions as they have by law or usage in the courts of such State, Territory or Possession from which they are taken.<<

[Chovexani]

56. "Pro-Family" my fucking ass

And the sad thing is how many more stories like this happen but don't get coverage. How often does this happen and people get discouraged and don't come forward because they figure it's futile, or they're just too mired in grief to deal with that?

Don't ever let these bigots tell you they are "pro-family". They are not pro anything but bigotry, plain and simple. Our families mean less than dirt to them.

PS: It's only one song, five minute prayer, etc. Reasonable people can disagree.

[bluedawg12]

76. I don't even know where to begin, with such unethical, hatefilled behavior

from health care professionals--allegedly.

I'm almost in f8cking shock having read the blow by blow description in the legal complaint. :puke:

[donco6]

60. This is the most horrific story I've ever seen.

I'm just flabbergasted. Why on earth would they do such a base, mean thing? Just to denigrate their relationship? I can't think of any other reason. Horrible! I'm so boiling mad, I'm giving money to Lambda Legal right now.

[donco6]

62. Here's a link to the complaint, listing the hospital's standards:

http://data.lambdalegal.org/pdf/legal/langbehn/langbehn-complaint-6-08.pdf

23. These standards include but are not limited 10 the following:
a. That "family" is defined as "he person(s) who plays a significant role in
the life. This may include a person(s) not legally related to the
individual."

[tbyg52]

64. So the hospital went against its own standards. Jerks. nt

[Lyric]

70. Well of course. It's in an "anti-gay" area, dontcha know?

They might as well post road signs saying, "Faggot, don't let the sun go down on you here."

:grr:

[bluedawg12]

78. Against their own standards and ethical and professional standards,

according to the complaint.

[bluedawg12]

66. They had a Durable Power of Attorney! It was ignored!!!!

reading it now and nauseated. :grr:

thanks for posting the complaint.

[Zenlitened]

61. Hey, but equal rights can wait, dontchaknow.

No need for teh gays to get all "poutraged," right?

:grr: :grr: :grr:

This horrifying tragedy should weigh on the conscience of EVERYONE who's ever argued against full marriage equality, who's ever argued that the loving, committed relationships of same-sex couples are somehow "different."

You own a little piece of this horror. That's a fact you're going to have to live with, somehow.

[bluedawg12]

69. Jackson Memorial Hospital, allegedly violated their own standards and JCAHO

the entity which credentials hospitals, according to the legal complaint.

[Zenlitened]

80. But why would they feel empowered to do so?

I think the answer is all too obvious, sadly. It's not just the haters of the world who made this possible. The "good" people, those fine upstanding citizens who marginalize gay and lesbian couples while patting themselves on the back for their high-minded, "progressive" opinions... they gave plenty of cover for this tragedy, too. :(

[bluedawg12]

83. That's a great question, especially from people who are supposed to "heal."

What the f*ck kind of society is this?

[MNBrewer]

71. But didn't everything "change" when Obama said

"I am not somebody who promotes same-sex marriage, but I do believe in civil unions. I do believe that we should not — that for gay partners to want to visit each other in the hospital for the state to say, you know what, that’s all right, I don’t think in any way inhibits my core beliefs about what marriage are. I think my faith is strong enough and my marriage is strong enough that I can afford those civil rights to others, even if I have a different perspective or different view."

[bluedawg12]

74. "We have not always been as kind to our gay brothers and sister as we could."

That's an understatement to say the least.

[MNBrewer]

75. I'm so glad

that his faith is strong enough and his marriage is strong enough that he can afford those civil rights to others

Such a vigorous proponent of gay rights!!!

:sarcasm:

[bluedawg12]

77. Hopefully, this family won't be denied a trial by jury.

Hope--fully, in this "new era of tolerance."

[Zenlitened]

81. Sad, huh? Attitudes like that are part of the problem...

... and I can't believe he doesn't realize that. :(

[bluedawg12]

86. These two good women took in kids when others would not, they were great parents

Oh wait...I forgot...gays should not be parents....they might take the kids on vacation and be involved with their Church, the Girl Scouts and the PTA-- oh the horror. :sarcasm:

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[David Zephyr]

67. Post it to the General Forum and watch how quickly it will sink.

Not a "priority" here.

[bluedawg12]

72. Janice and Lisa Marie were adoptive parents to 4 "special needs" kids

and foster parented 22 kids and " a vibrant" part of their Olympia Washington community.

GirlScout leaders, PTA and taught 1st holy communion classes.

Good grief, these people named as defendants, had they no speck of decency, none?

[David Zephyr]

90. It's heartbreaking and it is all wrong.

We are always the most despised. And the most dismissed.

[bluedawg12]

92. They need something to scapegoat and fear

that's a political calculation made by those who thrive off hate as a source of money and/or power.

It draws the crowds, fills the tents and assuredly opens wallets.

I say this because by now, it should have been clear that anti-gay myths defy reason and this little family was an example of good people and two loving adults who shared their life and made a difference.

In return, they were treated with callous bigotry of the most distasteful sort, it crossed over into health care and healers became the bigots (allegedly).

[Lyric]

68. Contact info for the hospital.

http://www.jhsmiami.org/body.cfm?id=23

Phone: [phone]
Patient Relations: 305-585-7341

Give them a piece of your mind.

I'm so mad I can hardly speak right now.

[bluedawg12]

73. I'm in tears, let this story go viral, Dear Lord.

I just read most of the complaint and social worker Fredrick sounds like a beast(allegedly). :puke:

[Bluebear]

79. Maybe Rick Warren can say a little prayer for the dying woman, that should fill the void.

:mad:

[bluedawg12]

84. This little family did nothing to, nothing, to justify the behavior shown them.

Shown them by people whom society has entrusted to care for the sick and their families.

[ooglymoogly]

82. Florida is a cesspool of self riotous evil.

With a church of hate and hypocrisy on every corner, it encourages its people to hate and use religion to cover the horrific damage it does.
Keep Away from Florida...go to Jamaica or Puerto Rico or Mexico instead and you will have much more fun and relaxation. If you are a Dem you might not come out of Florida whole. This is just one of the many horror stories I have read and heard about coming out of Florida.

[bluedawg12]

85. But, but, it's the crown jewel in Jeb's career.

:sarcasm:

[ooglymoogly]

87. I hate to tell Jeb; But the "Jewel" is plastic and subject to meltdown.

No....actually I don't

[bluedawg12]

88. Truly.

Idiot son already showed the nation his skills, now this douche has left his mark on the State along with his reichwing cronies, so we can wake up to this horror story.

[Siyahamba]

105. Jamaica?

Much more hostile for gays than Florida, to be honest.

[SacredCow]

89. I remember when this happened....

I sincerely hope that someone is held accountable for this travesty.

[bluedawg12]

93. They couldn't have found a nicer couple who made a positive difference

these seemed like a really sweet and caring couple who made a loving difference to kids in need and yet, they were dehumanized (allegedly) in the most ugly way by people who should have risen above their own bigotry and hate.

[bluedawg12]

97. Kicking to keep the memory alive and for links about this family

and more info should anyone be interested.


Very sad. Very sad.

[imdjh]

98. Kicking again, call Jackson and tell them how you feel

Jackson Memorial Hospital Main Line
305-585-1111

dial O for Operator

[Steven_D]

99. Just incredibly sad

It took a lot of bigots to make this happen.

[bluedawg12]

101. Agreed! And welcome to DU!

Yes, this story was sad, tragic and infuriating.

Nothing can return the lost moments to this wonderful family, as one parent lay dying alone.

What kind of people allow their bigotry to over-ride their basic humanity?

[Cherchez la Femme]

102. GLBT ought to boycott Florida

I know I am, even when buying something from Ebay (along with Texas).

No respect = Zero gay tourist or other dollars.

[cali]

104. I hope there's a huge sum awarded for damages.

this hospital deserves to be scorned for their vile actions.