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For Immediate Release
August 17, 2004
Media Contacts:
Lynn Schulman, 212.367.1210
Noel Alicea, 212.367.1216
Legislature Grants Same-Sex
Couples Right
to Hospital Visitation
GMHC Applauds Senate Passage of Hospital Visitation Legislation
New York, NY — Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), the nation's
oldest HIV/AIDS service and advocacy organization today praised
the passage of New York Senate bill 7688 (passed on August 13),
which gives hospital visitation rights to domestic partners caring
for loved ones.
The legislation, along with the companion New York Assembly version,
A.9872-A passed in June, would require any hospital, nursing home,
or health care facility to provide the same visitation rights to
domestic partners that they provide for a spouse or next-of-kin.
Senator Nicholas Spano and Assembly Members Deborah Glick and Sam Hoyt
were the lead sponsors of this important legislation.
"This legislation will bring equity to a situation that makes
all of us vulnerable — when a loved one needs to be cared
for in a hospital or other health care setting," said Ana Oliveira,
Executive Director of Gay Men's Health Crisis. "We urge Governor
Pataki to swiftly sign this bill into law."
Currently, individuals in same-sex relationships who are prohibited
from civil marriage are often not granted the opportunity to visit
their partner in a health care facility. The passage of the Assembly
and Senate bills is a huge step toward ensuring that domestic partners
are afforded the same rights married couples have to support one
another during an illness.
It is estimated that approximately two-thirds of GMHC's 15,000
clients would benefit from this legislation, if enacted.
About GMHC
Gay Men's Health Crisis is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported
and community-based organization committed to national leadership
in the fight against AIDS. Our mission is to reduce the spread
of HIV disease, help people with HIV maintain and improve their
health and independence, and keep the prevention, treatment
and cure of HIV an urgent national and local priority. We provide
services and programs to over 15,000 men, women and families
that are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in New York City.
Visit our website at www.gmhc.org.
© 2004 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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