Jan 14 2009
Equality Matters- Richard Died and No One Informed Bob
Richard and Bob live in Minnesota near Hennepin. They were together for eighteen years and each carried a emergency contact number with the others name and number on it in case something would happen. The day came when Richard had a heart attack in a shopping center parking lot and died. No one contacted Bob or let him make any decisions.
The medical examiner did call Bob, but would not share any information because Bob was not related to Richard in any way. The two only had the emergency cards in their wallets, but never had any legal papers drawn up. This of course may not have made any difference because it does not ensure that the same sex partner is recognized.
The medical examiner called Richard’s sister and she called Bob. Bob was made to sit and suffer not knowing what was going on with Richard until the sister called, which she did right away after hearing the news. Richard’s sister was the one who had to verbally make the arraignments, but she had to ask Bob everything because he knew what Richard wanted.
The final straw for the family was when the medical examiner called several weeks later to ask the sister some questions for the heart disease research as to what Richard had done the night before having his heart attack. The sister told the examiner to call Bob because he would know and not her. The examiner refused.
This is a true story and this is why we need to have equality for all. This can affect not only gay people, but also straight people in a domestic partnership. Speak up for equality, it might be you the next time.
