As we in the gay community continue the fight for gay marriage – there is still the ground-swell of: “Why do you need to be married? Can’t you just have a lawyer draw up all the legal papers you need? Just be domestic partners, that will give you all the legal rights you need.”
Have you heard of the lesbian couple, Brittney Leon and Terri-Ann Simonelli, who are registered domestic partners in the State of Nevada?
In Nevada the law states: “Domestic partners have the same rights, protection and benefits, and are subject to the same responsibilities, obligations and duties under law, whether derived from statutes, administrative regulations, court rules, government policies, common law or any other provisions or sources of law, as are granted to and imposed upon spouses.”
This couple went to Spring Valley Hospital because Leon was having pregnancy complications. Upon arriving at the hospital, Simonelli was told she would have to get herself power of attorney to be with her partner.
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The admissions person at Spring Valley Hospital stated that the hospital requires gay couples have power of attorney in order to make medical decisions for each other.
Even though President Obama ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to write a rule that would prevent hospitals from not allowing visitation privileges to gay and lesbian partners – this hospital chose to discriminate against this and other gay couples.
Leon lost her baby – while her partner – her legal registered domestic partner – was left to wait without news on the fate of her family. They lost their baby – while the hospital refused to allow them to share in their loss. I cannot imagine how lost and alone they were feeling.
Imagine, if you will, losing a baby – your baby – and not having your partner – male or female – gay or straight – with you holding your hand, giving you comfort. Imagine a country that uncaring, that discriminating, that homophobic. Can you?
Well, you don’t have to imagine it.
Go to the polls in November and push that Romney/Ryan button and you will be enforcing and supporting this uncaring, discriminating, homophobic kind of world. Spin it any way you choose and try to justify it in your head and your heart – however, if you vote Republican this November – that’s who you are, that’s who and what you are voting for.
It’s a reflection of you.
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If you choose to vote Romney/Ryan and think or say to me: “Barb it’s not personal.” I can only say to you: “What could be more personal than denying me access to the person I love when they need me the most?”
And don’t tell me you want smaller government – this is not smaller government – this is the government intruding in the lives of people who simply want to be recognized for who they are – Americans.
This election is important – Please vote to end the hate…
So, you still want to be a Republican?