Last but not least: and never preaching to you, Martin:
Gay Rights are not "Special Rights"
They are Human Rights."
Demand your rights.
Call a lawyer, the media, a gay organization for help.
Make a scene. Hospitals hate scenes.

This also applies to many heterosexual couples who choose not to marry. In theory, the Power of Attorney, and Durable Power of Attorney for medical care give you rights. In fact, it doesn't mean squat if you aren't holding an actual copy of the papers in your hand. Don't let them take ir, evem to copy, unless your eyes are on it the whole time. They frequently "forget" to give them back. Once it is put in the patient's file, if you don't have that piece of paper IN YOUR HAND, it means nothing. That's the reality. Sad, huh?

Many of us learned this during the worst of the AIDS epidemic.
Oh, and preaching to the Choir: Don't forget, sometimes all that is between you and catastrophic illness is a condom.

I am angry as hell about this! This is definitely a gay issue, but.... straight people beware! ANY single person with no family, ANY person LIVING with ANY partner can be denied visitation rights (and other rights) because there is nothing legally binding unless there has been power of attorney or guardian arrangements made. But, be further aware, that no such document guarantees the rights, either. The discrimination is more likely to be against GLBT members, but it can happen to anyone! By straight people fighting FOR positive changes in this matter, they will be securing their rights, too...so I don't understand why so many non-gay people fight it. They're jeopardizing THEIR rights along with the rights of everybody else! This is a situation that IS of EQUAL concern because it proves it can equally devastating among all people. Special rights, my ass...it's equal rights and any idiot can see that (even the ones that deny seeing it)!

Why cant I imagine and understand these things happen over there?

One more of those posts to add to my "educational process".

Okay, if she was standing there with a Power of Attorney, they are being stupid and setting themselves up for a horrible lawsuit and it actually serves them right. What right do they have to say who is family and who is not!

She also says JMH social worker Garnett Frederick told her that Florida is "an anti-gay state"?! WTF!?

I am speechlessThat is about the cruelest thing that I have heard. I know no amount of money can bring a loved one back...but maybe that hospital will think twice the next time they are in this position

boy!this is terrible to hear about this.What's wrong with
those people.