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Court dismisses suit by lesbian who couldn’t see dying partner at Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital

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September 29, 2009

9/29/2009


"A federal court in Miami has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Washington state lesbian who was not allowed to visit her dying partner at Jackson Memorial Hospital.


"'The hospital took the position that we thought was pretty extreme — that it has no duty, no legal obligation, to allow visitors [of any sort] in the hospital. The court agreed,' said Beth Littrell, a staff attorney for Lambda Legal, a national gay-rights group representing Janice Langbehn, whose partner of 17 years died at Jackson in 2007.

"'We're obviously devastated and disappointed in this decision,' Littrell said. 'It highlights how vulnerable same-sex couples and their families are.'"


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