A Gay or Lesbian Couple? Avoid Vacationing in Florida!!!!

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 10:59am

http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_sunshine_hate

Janice Langbehn and Lisa Pond had planned to take their three children on a family cruise. The Olympia, Washington couple had been together 18 years and with their children were looking forward to the holiday.

But just as they were about to depart on the cruise from Miami, Florida. Pond, a healthy 39-year-old, suddenly collapsed. She was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami with Langbehn and the children following close behind.

But once Langbehn and the children arrived at the hospital the hospital refused to accept information from her about Ponds’s medical history. Langbehn says she was informed that she was in an antigay city and state, and she could expect to receive no information or acknowledgment as family.

A doctor finally spoke with Janice telling her that there was no chance of recovery.

Other than one five minute visit, which was orchestrated by a Catholic priest at Langbehn’s request to perform last rites, and despite the doctor’s acknowledgement that no medical reason existed to prevent visitation, neither she nor her children were allowed to see Pond until nearly eight hours after their arrival.

Soon after Pond’s death, Langbehn tried to get her death certificate in order to get life insurance and Social Security benefits for their children. She was denied both by the State of Florida and the Dade County Medical Examiner.

Updated On: 2/27/08 at 10:59 AM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 11:12am

THIS is why the issue gay marriage IS of paramount importance.

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 11:35am

"Langbehn says she was informed that she was in an antigay city and state"

And what would be the reaction had she told she was in an anti-black or anti-Jewish state?

[Liverpool]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 11:38am

ahh but see lildogs, 50 years ago no one would have blinked an eye at anti-black city.

Just look at this way, in 400 years we'll be considered real people too.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 11:51am

People are VILE.

[lovelyspotlight]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 11:54am

That's disgusting. For some reason, it seems like Miami should have somehow been different than more outright anti-gay parts of Florida.

[shameless]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 11:58am

Obviously, I can't comment on this incident, but I can tell you that Miami does not have a reputation for being an anti-gay city.

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 12:00pm

Just as soon as I typed that--I thought the same thing liver.

We need a gay GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT and a gay IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT--and we wouldn't even have to change titles!

[Liverpool]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 12:02pm

haha lil

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 3:30pm

And it is not looking to get better anytime soon as the "Marriage Protection Amendment" http://election.dos.state.fl.us/initiatives/initdetail.asp?account=41550&seqnum=1 goes on the ballot for the November election.

Gay marriage is already illegal in Florida as it is, this amendment not only prevents that from changing in the future but also prevents any sort of Civil Union from being established either. The problem is, a lot of people don't know that. There are a number of people down here that are anti-gay marriage but support civil unions but I believe are going to vote for this amendment because they don't realize that civil unions fall under the umbrella of the amendment.

Updated On: 2/27/08 at 03:30 PM

[nitsua]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 3:33pm

"We need a gay GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT and a gay IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT--and we wouldn't even have to change titles!"

I'm on it!

[george95]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 5:29pm

One of my students wears a button everyday that says "Marriage: One Man-One Woman--Let the People Vote!" It depressed me every time I see it.

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 5:32pm

The main problem I've always had with that argument was this: If the Civil Right bills of 64 & 65 had been put to a vote, they would have never passed--now many people think that's "right?"

I'd kick that student out of my class, george. Don't you have a dress code that forbids clothing with offensive messages?

[_chanteuse_]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 5:49pm

lildogs...I don't think he'd be able to actually. Since the student is expressing a political view and isn't using any slurs.

I was born in Florida and I've never really experienced any homophobia. A bunch of racism, yeah...

I guess my exposure to bigotry is limited.

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 5:53pm

Well, you couldn't in my school--regardless of the political point of view.

"Jesus Sucks" would also be a non-slur political viewpoint that would most likely result in an uproar, though doncha think?

[_chanteuse_]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 6:33pm

Jesus is not a political viewpoint.

[nitsua]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 7:01pm

Jesus isn't political? Tell that to the politicians.

Sophomore year, some church friends and I wore shirts that said, "Liars go to Hell (Revelation 21:8 )"

Sure, it might not be an exact quote, but being that Hell is being used as a verb and it has to do with the bible, we thought we would be able to wear it.

We weren't. We were all caught in first period and told to tape over the entire shirt, not just Hell. Tape on your shirt is very uncomfortable.

ETA: I think we all know I meant noun instead of verb.

Updated On: 2/27/08 at 07:01 PM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 8:45pm

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

Just cut off Florida! Saw it off the USA and let it float over to Cuba or just out to sea.

Morons.

[bschneid76]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 9:46pm

Again, tis a sad world we live in. Our country will never be a progressive one, as we still live in the morals and views of the stone age!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 10:10pm

"Liars go to Hell"
"Hell is being used as a verb."

Care to explain that one, Mr. writer?

Tape on your shirt is very uncomfortable.

Did it make you walk funny? THAT would be hysterical.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 2/28/08 at 1:58am

I'm anxious for that explanation as well.

[nitsua]

Posted: 2/28/08 at 2:49am

I edited my original message.

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/28/08 at 9:57am

"Just cut off Florida! Saw it off the USA and let it float over to Cuba or just out to sea. "

"Not Florida! It's America's wang!"

No offense to Floridians, but I was VERY disappointed in Florida--it was like Southeast Texas with more palm trees.

[DG]

Posted: 2/28/08 at 10:04am

Florida doesn't even honor heterosexual marriage, if it doesn't suit their narrow-minded Christian agenda - otherwise, the Shiavo case would have been a non-issue.

[slimandslam]

Posted: 2/28/08 at 11:35am

Have you seen the family's blog? It's heartbreaking to read the early posts, talking about how enthusiastic they all were about going to Florida to take a cruise.
The Langbehn-Pond Family