Brittney Leon and Terri-Ann Simonelli's domestic partnership is recognized by the State of Nevada where the law is supposed to give gay couples the same rights as heterosexual couples.
But, somewhere along the line, Spring Valley Hospital in Las Vegas didn't get the memo. When Leon went into the hospital with a complicated pregnancy, her partner was left in the dark. Simonelli wasn't allowed to visit her loved one or get updates. She didn't get to be there for Leon--who lost her baby. Spring Valley requires gay couples to sign power of attorney documents--an obstacle the hospital does not put in the way of heterosexual couples. This policy is clearly prejudicial and creates a hardship for gay couples at a time in their lives that may already be fraught with fear and anxiety.
Tell Spring Valley Hospital to change its policy so that it clearly conforms to Nevada law and not to discriminate against gay couples!
We the undersigned are grieved to learn that you did not allow Terri-Ann Simonelli to visit her lawfully partnered spouse Brittney Leon when Leon had to go to your hospital because of a problem pregnancy.
We are sorry to learn that your hospital requires gay couples to sign power of attorney documents just so they can visit each other and get updates. This policy is in clear violation of Nevada law which says that you cannot treat gay couples differently from the way you treat heterosexual couples. Such a policy is a terrible hardship for people who are already enduring the emotional duress of an emergency trip to the hospital.
Please change your policy so that it is aligned with state law, and stop discriminating!
