Lesbian Couple Encounter Discrimination at Fresno Hospital Following LGBT Rights Event
ByKristin Orbin and Teresa Rowe, partner of over 3 years, were participating in the Meet in the Middle for Equality march in Fresno, California on Saturday, May 30 when Orbin collapsed and suffered an epileptic seizure. After being rushed to Fresno Community Hospital and Medical Center, the couple alleges that hospital staff refused to allow Rowe the ability to visit Orbin in the emergency room, disregarded information from Rowe related to Orbin’s medical condition, and refused Rowe’s offer to fax to the hospital Orbin’s advance directive and power of attorney, which designated Rowe as Orbin’s surrogate decision maker. Our good friends at the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association are working with the couple and other groups to develop a response to these actions.
More information at www.examiner.com/x-4107-Gay–Lesbian-Issues-Examiner~y2009m6d2-EXCLUSIVE–California-lesbian-couple-allege-discrimination-at-Fresno-hospital.
I work for the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. In partnership with the Human Rights Campaign, the 2009 Healthcare Equality Index was recently released. This index is a ranking of hospitals nationwide and where they stand on LGBT issues. The idea is to create a gold standard for hospital care. Visit the HRC website for more information. If you are looking for a LGBT-welcoming provider in your area, visit http://www.glma.org/referrals