Your Stories 2189

If you’re against gay marriage …

My dad recently brought up same-sex marriage in a phone conversation. In the past, he’s been slightly homophobic – not hatefully so, but clearly uncomfortable. He’s nearly 60 years old, a construction worker and a Vietnam vet. He grew up in a homophobic culture. But that culture has changed. And so has Dad.

Statements by Floyd and Griffin

My name is Wanda Floyd, and this is my partner, Sheryl Griffin, and we live in Durham, North Carolina. We’ve spent the last eight years of our lives together. In July 2002, surrounded by family, friends and co-workers, we committed to spend the rest of our lives together.

The Need for Legal Planning

When I was first admitted, the woman in the X-ray department was very kind to us and allowed my partner, Brenda, to come in the back with me. However, once they put me in my room, they wouldn’t allow Brenda in or tell her my condition because she wasn’t "family."

When a Partner Becomes Disabled

My now-deceased partner, Rodney, went on disability in 1995 and stopped working. He was able to retain his health insurance through COBRA (at the employer’s full cost) for 33 months after going on disability. From that point on, the race had begun.

Standing Up and Saying, ‘This Is Wrong.’

In November 2004, voters in Michigan passed an amendment to their state constitution that defined marriage as between a man and a woman. Proponents of the amendment had said it wouldn’t affect the health insurance benefits some same-sex couples already received, but in March 2005, the Michigan attorney general announced that because of the amendment, state and local governments could not longer offer same-sex domestic partner benefits to their employees.

Next of Kin

At my mom’s deathbed was her partner, her sister, my sister and me. Minutes after Mom died, the doctor on call came into the room and asked who next of kin was. Melanie, my mother’s partner, responded saying she was her partner and healthcare proxy, then added that she also had power of attorney.

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