THIS is why I left, and THIS is why GLBT folks will never have equal rights in the United States until there is marriage equality...
~snippet~
Janice Langbehn and Lisa
Pond had planned to take their three children on a family cruise. The Olympia,
Washington couple had been together 18 years and with their children were
looking forward to the holiday.
But just as they were about to depart on the cruise from Miami, Florida. Pond, a healthy 39-year-old, suddenly collapsed. She was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami with Langbehn and the children following close behind.
But once Langbehn and the children arrived at the
hospital the hospital refused to accept information from her about Ponds’s
medical history. Langbehn says she was informed that she was in an
antigay city and state, and she could expect to receive no information or
acknowledgment as family.
Other than one five minute visit, which was orchestrated by a Catholic priest at Langbehn’s request to perform last rites, and despite the doctor’s acknowledgement that no medical reason existed to prevent visitation, neither she nor her children were allowed to see Pond until nearly eight hours after their arrival.
Soon after Pond'’s death, Langbehn tried to get her death certificate in order to get life insurance and Social Security benefits for their children. She was denied both by the State of Florida and the Dade County Medical Examiner.
