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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 13, 2008)
northwest Couple Fight for Rights Hospital trip illustrates need for legal protections by Dee Duderstadt hen a straight couple say “I do,” W mitted so he could be excused on medical leave. and release forms to un they are given rights and respon When Oravetz went to the hospital’s adminis married couples. They sibilities that extend heyond a trative office, he was denied the documentation. also indicated that the public ceremony, often ones they Rather, the clerk demanded a copy of the couple’s incident don’t realize they have. But gay domestic partnership license, something they had Oravetz and Brown de couples are painfully aware of the rights they yet to get. are denied. After an alarming incident at a Yamhill County hospital, Lafayette couple Michael Oravetz and Jonathon Brown learned this the hard way. occurred as scribed it. Oravetz was upset because she “would not Hospital representa have asked a straight couple for their marriage tives indicated that they license.” took care of the prob Hospital policy for such situations is to give lem, although the facil From left, Gabriel "Gabbie" Brown, Jonathan Brown, Jesse Brown, Andrew Brown and Michael Oravetz demonstrate the need for laws protecting nontraditional families. Oravetz, 37, grew up in the Yamhill-Carlton the partner a copy of the privacy laws and hospi ity’s spokeswoman refused to confirm whether the area of Yamhill County. He left for Portland years tal privacy releases. This can then be taken to the employee was reprimanded. ago because he could not take the torment of his sick individual and he or she can sign it, allowing bigoted neighbors. Yet when he and Portlander the partner access to medical information. Brown, 39, were looking for a more rural place to settle with their son and two daughters, Oravetz “She wasn’t following hospital policy. It had to do with her own prejudice,” Oravetz said. returned to Yamhill County because he felt the After Brown’s surgery, Oravetz returned to the climate had changed. And, for the most part, the administrative office, this time with one of Brown’s couple believe it has. nurses, and faced the administrator. Both he and the But recently Oravetz and Brown found out how important the domestic partnership license is for couples to have. nurse pleaded Brown’s case but were again denied. As fate would have it, the woman’s supervi sor happened to be walking past. The matter was Brown was admitted March 10 to Willa “I am very committed to him, and 1 know he is very committed to me. I think what it gives us is Oravetz and Brown, who have been together an opportunity to show the world that gay people for more than two years, registered as domestic can get married and have a loving relationship partners immediately following Brown’s release just like my folks do,” Brown said. “It’s a step. It’s from the hospital. Since Feb. 4, there have been the closest thing to actual marriage.” Oravetz interrupts, “to true equality that we’ve had 15 applications for domestic partnerships in Yamhill County. in a long time.. .to be an equal part of society,” finish “It’s the closest thing we can actually get to ing Brown’s sentence. “You finally feel some equality.” being married,” Brown said of the license. “I am “The only difference” between gays and straights, not looking for more rights and privileges. I am Brown explained, “is what we do in the bedroom.” just looking for equal treatment.” cleared up within minutes. Oravetz interrupted again: “We all choose dif The couple sat in their living room relaxing ferent people. We just happen to choose people of Willamette Valley Medical Center represen after an evening meal. Their children were in bed, the same gender. We’re out, and they aren’t going tatives agreed that it is the hospital’s policy to and the chickens had been fed and penned. The to be able to closet us again. While there, his employer requested that Ora provide a copy of the Health Insurance Portabil rural atmosphere took over as insect songs began vetz get prtxif from the hospital that Brown was ad ity and Accountability Act, privacy information to compete with one another. mette Valley Medical Center, where he was until March 21, for severe pancreatitis and gallstones. D ee D uderstadt is a McMinnville writer. - JUNE SPECIAL - 30% OFF MSRP with this ad Call today! • Hearing Tests • Hearing Aids • Custom Ear Plugs and more! Allison Bradley —'J 7T '/ =7 ’ODI « LOSE FAT FOREVER. NO SURGERY, NO SWEATING, NO KIDDING pacificaudiologyclinic 5010 NE 33rd Avenue Portland, OR 97211 503-284-1906 www.pacoregon.com where the queers go to hear! 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