Meet a Gay Couple That Applied for Their Marriage License in DC Today

Earlier I posted a story about today being the day in which same sex couples can now apply for their marriage license in Washington D.C.

The Associated Press is reporting that 150 same sex couples applied for their license today.  Read that article here.

Among those couples were Darlene Garner and Candy Holmes (featured in the video to the left).   In the interview they mention a couple of key things in which they will now be entitled to.   One of the most striking things, that I think a lot of society (heterosexuals) take for granted, is the way in which the health care system will now have to acknowledge their relationship.

I can’t speak for this couple, but I can speak from my own experience on that point.  My partner and I have been together for almost 3 years now.  In that 3 years each of us has, of course, taken a trip or two to the doctor.

I remember one trip to the doctor in particular.  My partner was very ill.  We walked into the office together, I helped him fill out his paperwork, and when the nurse called his name I got up to go back to the examination room with him.  She asked my relation to him, and I of course said I was his partner.

She gave me an up and down glare, and said to me: “I’m sorry, only immediate family members can come back to the examination room”.

My mom always taught me to choose my battles.  We were pretty sure that this was just a flu and I knew that my partner getting healthy ultimately didn’t rely solely on me accompanying him back to the exam room, so I took a seat in the waiting room.  I waited and fumed while Rich was examined. Hell,  if I were a girl I bet that nurse would have just assumed that Rich and I were married and let me accompany him no questions asked.

We have not returned to the doctor since.

I know this was just an appointment to a doctor, but what if this had been more serious?  What if Rich were dying?  Would that nurse have told me to sit down then?

Straight couples don’t get it, because with marriage they are given these rights no questions asked.

Related posts:

1. Gay Marriages Begin Today In DC – Meet A Couple Who Was First In Line Last week I reported that Washington D.C. was going to...
2. Today’s The Day – Gay DC Couples Can Apply For Marriage Licenses Chief DC Superior Court Judge Lee Satterfield sat down with...
3. Minnesota Officials Debate Gay Marriage Minnesota couple Oby Ballinger and Jaymon Swanson were married last...
4. The First Same-Sex Wedding Ceremonies Take Place in DC. Watch One Here Watch the Rocky and Reggie’s Marriage ceremony which took place...
5. Malawi Gay Couple Found Guilty of Love, Sentenced 14 Years After a December 2009 engagement party, Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven...