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Pam's House Blend:: Idaho Local TV Report Asks: What Is A Family? (http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/11623/idaho-local-tv-report-asks-what-is-a-family - broken link)
Quote:
The definition of family is under scrutiny.
This comes after a local same-sex couple was denied a family pool pass at Lava Hot Springs.
The two claim the staff at the swimming pool facility told them they didn't fit the description of a family and couldn't get the reduced rate.
The executive director of the Lava Hot Springs Foundation says they define parents as adults who are legally in charge of dependent children or who are married to the adult who's in charge of the kids.
Since the state of Idaho doesn't recognize same-sex marriages, the American Falls couple didn't get the $20 pass.
If the two women had papers saying they were both legally responsible for their children, that could have cleared things up but do people really need to carry these things around to prove they are a family?
Pam's House Blend:: Idaho Local TV Report Asks: What Is A Family? (http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/11623/idaho-local-tv-report-asks-what-is-a-family - broken link)
If the two women had papers saying they were both legally responsible for their children, that could have cleared things up but do people really need to carry these things around to prove they are a family?
In any case, what's a family to you?
I chose the "any group of people who love each other" option, but, I agree with the other poster who suggested an "all of the above"!
In regards to the providing legal paperwork in cases like the above, that doesn't always work. I had to rush my partner to the hospital ER last April with what turned out to be a kidney stone. He was in the worst pain I had ever seen and he had never had a kidney stone before, so neither of us knew what was happening.
He was screaming in agony and the morphine or whatever they gave him wasn't working to stop it. They refused to let me go back with him. We have medical power of attorney for each other, as well as living wills, etc. They still refused to allow me back and kept insisting that "friends are to wait in the waiting room". This was all after showing them the legal paperwork.
I was just about to cause a scene, when a nurse supervisor finally allowed me back. The treatment he received for the rest of the time in the ER was terrible. They left him in the exam room with me for 45 minutes at atime while he was screaming in pain and vomiting from the pain and medicine.
Fortunately, when he was finally admitted, the treatment greatly improved and I wasn't made to feel unwelcome. In fact, they gave me the option to stay overnight.
This would never have happened were we a straight couple, let alone a married one. They wouldn't even have asked if we were married, they would only have assumed so.
One could reasonably choose to pick all of them as it is not a single option poll. I know I did.
I also chose other, as my closest friends are also a part of my family. I've lived with room mates, and we were all one big happy family - though not related by blood or anything... nor did we "love" each other.
I chose the "any group of people who love each other" option, but, I agree with the other poster who suggested an "all of the above"!
In regards to the providing legal paperwork in cases like the above, that doesn't always work. I had to rush my partner to the hospital ER last April with what turned out to be a kidney stone. He was in the worst pain I had ever seen and he had never had a kidney stone before, so neither of us knew what was happening.
He was screaming in agony and the morphine or whatever they gave him wasn't working to stop it. They refused to let me go back with him. We have medical power of attorney for each other, as well as living wills, etc. They still refused to allow me back and kept insisting that "friends are to wait in the waiting room". This was all after showing them the legal paperwork.
I was just about to cause a scene, when a nurse supervisor finally allowed me back. The treatment he received for the rest of the time in the ER was terrible. They left him in the exam room with me for 45 minutes at atime while he was screaming in pain and vomiting from the pain and medicine.
Fortunately, when he was finally admitted, the treatment greatly improved and I wasn't made to feel unwelcome. In fact, they gave me the option to stay overnight.
This would never have happened were we a straight couple, let alone a married one. They wouldn't even have asked if we were married, they would only have assumed so.
Trust me, I know.
My girlfriend and I don't live together right now but when we do, my biggest worry will be a medical emergency and if they will allow us to make medical decisions for one another.
We plan to go to an attorney and hopefully we won't encounter any discrimination.
It all depends on the hospital, the nurses, the doctors, etc.
Its upsetting to know that even when we go out to an attorney to get the papers drawn up, people can still stop us from making medical decisions for our partners. You hear all these conservatives saying, "Go to a lawyer...get the papers drawn up. You don't need marriage" but then things like this happen. It seems they'll never understand.
My girlfriend and I don't live together right now but when we do, my biggest worry will be a medical emergency and if they will allow us to make medical decisions for one another.
We plan to go to an attorney and hopefully we won't encounter any discrimination.
It all depends on the hospital, the nurses, the doctors, etc.
Its upsetting to know that even when we go out to an attorney to get the papers drawn up, people can still stop us from making medical decisions for our partners. You hear all these conservatives saying, "Go to a lawyer...get the papers drawn up. You don't need marriage" but then things like this happen. It seems they'll never understand.
I think by speaking out we can change some people's hearts and minds.
I think it is safe to say that those who are vehemently against LGBT Rights and Same Sex Marriage never will since they will never try to. Because if they ever did begin to understand or put themselves in our shoes, they would have to begin viewing and treating us as fellow human beings.
As you say, the best way to change people's hearts and minds is to speak out, and share our stories so people truly realize and understand the struggles we face, so that future LGBT generations don't have to.
Pam's House Blend:: Idaho Local TV Report Asks: What Is A Family? (http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/11623/idaho-local-tv-report-asks-what-is-a-family - broken link)
If the two women had papers saying they were both legally responsible for their children, that could have cleared things up but do people really need to carry these things around to prove they are a family?
In any case, what's a family to you?
God, when will this stop? I'm so sick of hearing these types of stories & hear these bigots insist "I am NOT a bigot"...BS. Anyway, I consider all a family & I also consider my relationship w/my best friends a family as well. They know me better than my parents do, I spend all my time w/them, etc.
Maybe "what is NOT a family" should be delineated here.
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