WI GOP Governor seeks to strip gay couples hospital visitation rights

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Madison - Gov. Scott Walker believes a new law that gives gay couples hospital visitation rights violates the state constitution and has asked a judge to allow the state to stop defending it.

Democrats who controlled the Legislature in 2009 changed the law so that same-sex couples could sign up for domestic partnership registries with county clerks to secure some - but not all - of the rights afforded married couples.

Wisconsin Family Action sued last year in Dane County circuit court, arguing that the registries violated a 2006 amendment to the state constitution that bans gay marriage and any arrangement that is substantially similar.

Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen refused to defend the lawsuit, saying he agreed the new law violated the state constitution. Then-Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, hired Madison attorney Lester Pines to defend the state.

Walker, a Republican, replaced Doyle in January and fired Pines in March. On Friday, Walker filed a motion to stop defending the case.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/121956273.html

[Obama 2012 1,714]

this is where the religious right is full of lunatics.

I get the 'marriage' thing.

To not want couples overall to be able to have hospital visitation, etc. is absurd. You should be able to have whomever you want to visit you in the hospital. If you want your sister's husband's uncle's nephew to be your person to decide for you so be it. It should be YOUR choice, not the choice of some grand idea of family/hospitals, etc.

Of course, this is why 'marriage' should be eliminated from government period and just have 'civil contracts' amongst couples if they so wish to have one.

[Zero Sum 305]

Excellent opinion, Paul. I don't necessarily agree with the need to eliminate marriage from government- I favor the government recognizing civil unions and heterosexual marriages equally to allow gays to 'marry' as they see fit and enjoy/condemn themselves as do all of us heterosexuals do in marriage.

[sandinista! 1,816]

God forbid those sub-human gays should be allowed to visit each other in hospital. It'll be what causes the fall of western civ and all that.

Srsly, the GOP, in WI anyways, really honestly thinks keeping gay people out of their loved ones' hospital rooms is the job of government? Even getting past how wretchedly stupid and bigoted it is, it's supposed to be the role of govt to ensure this doesn't happen?

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God forbid those sub-human gays should be allowed to visit each other in hospital. It'll be what causes the fall of western civ and all that.

Srsly, the GOP, in WI anyways, really honestly thinks keeping gay people out of their loved ones' hospital rooms is the job of government? Even getting past how wretchedly stupid and bigoted it is, it's supposed to be the role of govt to ensure this doesn't happen?

Controversial efforts like this are always very time consuming. One wonders if the energies of the Governor are best spent on something like this, especially during times like this.

[Zero Sum 305]

God forbid those sub-human gays should be allowed to visit each other in hospital. It'll be what causes the fall of western civ and all that.

Srsly, the GOP, in WI anyways, really honestly thinks keeping gay people out of their loved ones' hospital rooms is the job of government? Even getting past how wretchedly stupid and bigoted it is, it's supposed to be the role of govt to ensure this doesn't happen?

But that dude in WI is scheduled to reach that Big Mac milestone today I think. 25,000 Big Macs down today or something like it.

Viva those Cheeseheads...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

This will save the state budget for sure and create a bunch of new jobs. As such, it's very important to focus on the gheys.

[Danno 1,228]

This is about gays having civil unions not hospital visits.

Gays have visitation rights. I have been to visit many people in the hospital, never have I been asked to explain or prove my relationship with the patient... HAVE YOU?

Why are we not blaming all the states that do not have civil union for "keeping Gays apart in hospitals"?

The truth is if gays wanted to really change the barely existent hospital guidlines.... they would confront the Hospitals.

Truth is, no one checks who you are when you visit someone in the hospital, I have claimed to be the brother ...(in case it mattered) when a black friend was on his deathbed, nobody cared.... it's just a "tool" of emotion to further the gay agenda to use emotional barbs to herd people, who have not taken the time to think through.. into a opinion.

Come on people, are you this easliy duped?

DO you really think gays or unmarried people are not allowed hospital visitations?

Someone name one hospital that does not allow gays to visit.... just one. (Catholic hospitals included).

[Zero Sum 305]

There are plenty of times when non-family members (as gay 'spouses' would not be treated if they were recognized legally as such) aren't allowed in a hospital visitation. Don't look for an excuse on this one- its pretty silly.

[Danno 1,228]

There are plenty of times when non-family members (as gay 'spouses' would not be treated if they were recognized legally as such) aren't allowed in a hospital visitation. Don't look for an excuse on this one- its pretty silly.

But you failed to name one hospital..... I wanna call and check.

Have you even been asked your relation to the patient?

I was, that one time I mentioned in camden NJ.

Are you really suggesting all the unmarried people can't visit their SO in the hospital?

And what about all these step kids foster kids, children of guardians.... the list is endless, are they all told to wait down stairs, don't be ridiculous.

There is no way for anything but the "number" of visitors to be limited.

[Zero Sum 305]

But you failed to name one hospital..... I wanna call and check.

Have you even been asked your relation to the patient?

I was, that one time I mentioned in camden NJ.

Are you really suggesting all the unmarried people can't visit their SO in the hospital?

And what about all these step kids foster kids, children of guardians.... the list is endless, are they all told to wait down stairs, don't be ridiculous.

There is no way for anything but the "number" of visitors to be limited.

Yes, every and any time I have entered the patient areas of a hospital I have been asked to either produce ID or declare relation to patient, etc. That was before 2010, FWIW.

By the way, since 2010, the rules for hospitals have changed. Gays are no longer prohibited visitation of hospitalized partners thanks to new regulations on clinics accepting Federal funds. Which means Gov Walker is fighting against gays in declaring such regulations 'inconstitutional.' Nice guy!

[Zero Sum 305]

Then again, he is trying to uphold a state law that is discriminatory against civil union registries that grant gays at least the ability to visit any hospital in the state where their loved ones may be hospitalized. Yet again, potential proof the Gov may not be able to secure another term after his public unions fiasco.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

There is no way for anything but the "number" of visitors to be limited.

That's false. Aside from limitations of the number of visitors allowed at any given time, there are typically hours stipulated where general visits are permitted and then there are hours where only immediate relatives are allowed to be with the patient. When our daughter was born, for example, my mother-in-law was allowed to stay with my wife 24 hours a day. I would have been allowed the same. A non immediate family member? Not so much.

[Zero Sum 305]

He is equating gay rights (in civil rights via civil unions) with a gay marriage ban. Interesting, this logic. Which means the homophobia goes beyond just a 'defense of marriage' law.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

But you failed to name one hospital..... I wanna call and check.

Have you even been asked your relation to the patient?

I was, that one time I mentioned in camden NJ.

Are you really suggesting all the unmarried people can't visit their SO in the hospital?

And what about all these step kids foster kids, children of guardians.... the list is endless, are they all told to wait down stairs, don't be ridiculous.

There is no way for anything but the "number" of visitors to be limited.

Kaiser Permanente does. Security has you sign in and verify your relationship with the patient. Only immediate relatives were allowed in the ER and you must be escorted by security.