Iran: Gay Hating, but...

David writes:
I was on The LOFT's radio program yesterday (WVOX 1460am), which is aired the first Sunday of every month. The show is hosted by James D. and is informative, amusing, and entertaining.

During our discussion, James D. mentioned that the government of Iran, which executes gay people, and which is probably why they claim not to have any, will actually pay for gender reassignment surgery for its citizens who are transgendered. It dawned on my after the show as I was driving away, that in many ways, Iran, for all its evil persecution of gays, recognizes and accepts the gender expression of transgendered folk better than other countries, maybe even our own. What do you think?

Five Down in Utah

David Writes: Five, count them, five bills that would have granted some degree of equality to Utah's LGBT community died this week. Although it's no surprise, coming from Utah, the bastion of the Mormon Church, my eyebrows did rise a little when I read that this past Sunday, a conservative group called America Forever ran full-page ads in Salt Lake City newspapers that likened gays to “druggies and hookers.” The ads declared homosexuality is “anti-species behavior” and said that “gays should be forced not to display” their sexuality in public.

Our brothers and sisters in states like Utah are never going to get equality until we get it first. Join The LOFT for Equality and Justice Day in Albany. Click Here for more information.

Why We Have to Talk, and Keep Talking!

David Writes: Last week I was invited to speak at WCC for a class on societal issues, and you guessed it, that day's subject was LGBT equality and acceptance. I'm always amazed at how open-minded many young people are today. We touched on many things, and during my discussion with the class, I tried to give hard-hitting examples of how the LGBT community lacks many of the rights mixed-sex couples take for granted. However, the example I gave on hospital visitation is one I'd like to share with you today.

Janice Langbehn and her partner, 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.

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. The family is now suing the hospital, naturally being represented by our good friends at Lambda Legal.

So, people, tell this story, and the countless stories like it, and maybe your own, of the prejudice and discrimination we face every day. It certainly shocked the students in this class at WCC, as I'm sure it does you.