Seattle woman shares story to aid push for domestic-partner bill

[tjwash]

Her story is sad and tragic. A woman drowns in basement and her partner is initially denied access to her in the hospital due to the fact that they are not married. Full Story Here

OLYMPIA — In a packed Senate hearing room Thursday, Charlene Strong told how she rushed to Harborview Medical Center last month to be with her dying partner but was turned away because they weren't married.

The Seattle woman shared her story in hopes that lawmakers would support a domestic-partnership bill, which would grant same-sex couples and older unmarried adults some of the rights offered to married couples.

"As the minutes ticked by I kept wondering, what if she dies without me holding her hand," Strong said. "What if she dies without knowing I told her I loved her."

An overflow crowd showed up for the hourlong hearing on Senate Bill 5336.

[LisaM]

1. That was such a horrible, horrible story.

I hope that at least one good thing comes of it.

[Warpy]

5. The right to visit a dying partner in a hospital

is one of the rights that can't be conferred by any other type of contract.

So is the right to claim a partner's body for burial.

A lot of sensible nurses allow life partners to visit unless the family is hostile. A lot of sensible and compassionate nurses will sneak a life partner in after the family has been sent home. Been there, done that, put my job on the line to do it.

Licensed and state sanctioned marriage is a civil contract between two unrelated adults by which they promote each other to first degree relative. The religious and social baggage is on top of that. It's very telling that in Canada, where they've had civil unions for some time, straight couples are opting for it instead of for the "traditional" religious marriages.

This story is grotesque in its cruelty and made worse by the fact that it is such a common one. Civil union or gay marriage, no matter what it's called, needs to be enacted into law. Its time has come.

[BOSSHOG]

2. Another fine example of compassionate conservatism

Ms Strong can find solace in knowing that "christians" loved her before she was born.

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. Jim Crow fake "marriage" will not necessarily help

Why settle for only some of the rights of marriage when equal marriage will give all of them?

[mondo joe]

4. Every gay couple seeking the rights of marriage is well advised to set

up wills and power of attorney.

It sucks, and it's not cheap, but IMO it's worth doing to not end up in a story like this.