Janice Langbehn
Encyclopedia
Janice K. Langbehn is a gay American activist and social worker, who became an activist as a result of the events surrounding the death of her partner, Lisa Marie Pond (October 8, 1967 − February 19, 2007).
In February 2007, Langbehn and Pond, along with three of their four adopted children, were in Miami, FL
to depart on a a cruise. Pond collapsed before the cruise departed and was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital
's (JMH) Ryder Trauma Center. When Langbehn and their children arrived, a JMH social worker told Langbehn she was in an “anti-gay city and state” and required a health care proxy
to see Pond. Langbehn had a power of attorney
(POA) which was faxed to the hospital within an hour of Pond’s arrival. However, Langbehn and their 3 young children were kept from Pond’s side for eight hours. Pond slipped into a coma from a brain aneurysm and died without her partner of 18 years or her children by her side.
Langbehn unsuccessfully sought an apology from the hospital, and eventually turned to Lambda Legal Defense Fund
. Lambda Legal filed suit against Jackson Memorial on June 25, 2008, in the Federal District Court of Miami, FL. The Langbehn-Pond Family story caught national headlines and was the subject of an op-ed piece by syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts. Throughout 2008, 2009, and 2010, work by the Committee for Fair Visitation at Jackson Memorial Hospital negotiated changes with the hospital regarding same-sex visitation. The committee consisted of partners throughout the LGBT Community including Lambda Legal, Human Rights Campaign
(HRC), and Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
(GLMA) among others. On April 13, 2010, Jackson Memorial Hospital in conjunction with the Committee announced significant changes to visitation policies regarding LGBT patients. In addition to the changes at Jackson Memorial Hospital, the Joint Commission (formerly the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations - JCAHO), published new guidelines addressing inclusion of LGBT patient and families in hospital visitation. Langbehn began educating LGBT groups as well as mainstream media about her family’s story. Langbehn spoke to bloggers, journalists and as a keynote speaker at larger functions. Nearly 30 speeches later, Langbehn continues to speak on the issues of marriage equality, same-sex hospital visitation, and the need for continued national attention regarding equality.
Florida Federal District Court Judge Jordan
wrote in his Order to Dismiss, “If the plaintiffs’ allegations are true, which I assume that they are when deciding the defendants’ 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, the defendants’ lack of sensitivity and attention to Ms. Langbehn, Ms. Pond, and their children caused them needless distress during a time of vulnerability. The defendants’ failure to provide Ms. Langbehn and her children frequent updates on Ms. Pond’s status, to allow Ms. Langbehn and her children to visit Ms. Pond after emergency medical care ceased; to inform Ms. Langbehn that Ms. Pond had been transferred to the intensive care unit, and to provide Ms. Langbehn Ms. Pond’s medical records as she requested, exhibited a lack of compassion and was unbecoming of a renowned trauma center like Ryder. Unfortunately, no relief is available for these failures based on the allegations plead in the amended complaint”.
Langbehn continued to speak on the topic of hospital visitation and equality for all Americans. Langbehn spoke publicly about her partners' deaths for the first time at an Olympia, WA Pride
gathering on June 18, 2007, just four months after Pond’s death. Langbehn continued to speak out, despite the outcome of her lawsuit. Langbehn’s perseverance caught the attention of the New York Times writer Tara Parker-Pope
. As a result of the article, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel
brought the article to the attention of President Barack Obama
. On April 15, 2010, President Obama called Langbehn from Air Force One
to apologize for the treatment her family received at Jackson Memorial Hospital and to inform her about the Presidential Memorandum
he signed earlier that day. President Obama’s Memorandum directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius
to create a rule allowing hospital visitations for same-sex couples comparable to those of married and opposite sex couples. Following Langbehn’s phone call with President Obama, she spoke live to CNN
news anchor Anderson Cooper
on the show Anderson Cooper 360°
.
On June 22, 2010, Langbehn and her three children met with Secretary Sebelius and then attended a gay pride
reception at the White House
. Prior to the reception, President Obama met with Langbehn and the children to again offer his apology. While speaking at the reception, President Obama described the struggles the Langbehn-Pond family faced and the impact of his memorandum. The President said, "Just a few moments ago, I met with Janice Langbehn and her children... And when Janice's partner of 18 years, Lisa, suddenly collapsed because of an aneurysm, Janice and the couple's three kids were denied the chance to comfort their partner and their mom -- barred from Lisa's bedside. It was wrong. It was cruel. And in part because of their story, I instructed my Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, to make sure that any hospital that's participating in Medicare
or Medicaid
-- that means most hospitals -- (laughter) -- allow gay and lesbian partners the same privileges and visitation rights as straight partners”.
In 2007 the Human Rights Campaign
published a report entitled the “Healthcare Equality Index” which examined equality of care in US hospitals. In 2010, the HEI reported indicated progress, crediting the Langbehn-Pond story for bringing the issue of hospital visitation for same-sex couples into the public eye. The proposed rule for “Fair Visitation” is currently in the final writing phase at the US Department of Health and Human Services. Over 1,250 public comments were received during the open comment period. The rule went into effect on January 18, 2011.
In 2010, Langbehn was awarded the Olympia
, WA “Capital City Pride Award for 2010”. On September 25, 2010, Langbehn was awarded the National Equality Award by the Human Rights Campaign for her continued fight for equality in hospital visitation. Langbehn continues to speak for the need of equality for all and impressing upon her audiences that “holding Lisa’s hand was not a gay right but a human right.” Notable editor of the Windy City Times
, Tracy Baim, wrote about the Langbehn-Pond family in her recently published book, Obama and the Gays: A Political Marriage. Also in 2010, the Human Rights Campaign published a Health Care Equality Index assessing America’s hospitals in their inclusiveness for treating LGBT families and individuals. This report was dedicated to the memory of Langbehn’s partner, Lisa Marie Pond. Lambda Legal will present Langbehn with their Liberty award in New York City on May 2, 2011.
On October 20, 2011, President Barack Obama presented Langbehn with the second highest civilian honor: the Presidential Citizens Medal
.
Langbehn resides in Lacey
, WA raising the children that Pond and she adopted from the Washington State foster care program.
In February 2007, Langbehn and Pond, along with three of their four adopted children, were in Miami, FL
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
to depart on a a cruise. Pond collapsed before the cruise departed and was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital
Jackson Memorial Hospital
Jackson Memorial Hospital is a non-profit, tertiary care teaching hospital and the major teaching hospital of the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Florida...
's (JMH) Ryder Trauma Center. When Langbehn and their children arrived, a JMH social worker told Langbehn she was in an “anti-gay city and state” and required a health care proxy
Health care proxy
A Health Care Proxy is an instrument that allows a patient to appoint an agent to make health care decisions in the event that the primary individual is incapable of executing such decisions. Once the document is drafted, the primary individual continues to be allowed to make health care decisions...
to see Pond. Langbehn had a power of attorney
Power of attorney
A power of attorney or letter of attorney is a written authorization to represent or act on another's behalf in private affairs, business, or some other legal matter...
(POA) which was faxed to the hospital within an hour of Pond’s arrival. However, Langbehn and their 3 young children were kept from Pond’s side for eight hours. Pond slipped into a coma from a brain aneurysm and died without her partner of 18 years or her children by her side.
Langbehn unsuccessfully sought an apology from the hospital, and eventually turned to Lambda Legal Defense Fund
Lambda Legal
Lambda Legal is an American civil rights organization that focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender communities as well as people living with HIV/AIDS through impact litigation, education, and public policy work.Lambda's founder William J. Thom, Esq...
. Lambda Legal filed suit against Jackson Memorial on June 25, 2008, in the Federal District Court of Miami, FL. The Langbehn-Pond Family story caught national headlines and was the subject of an op-ed piece by syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts. Throughout 2008, 2009, and 2010, work by the Committee for Fair Visitation at Jackson Memorial Hospital negotiated changes with the hospital regarding same-sex visitation. The committee consisted of partners throughout the LGBT Community including Lambda Legal, Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is the United States' largest LGBT advocacy group and lobbying organization; according to the HRC, it has more than one million members and supporters...
(HRC), and Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
Glma
Glma may represent:*one of the Enochian angels*the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association*the Great Lakes Mink Association *the abbreviation for "Gas Lift Mandrel, Aligning" at...
(GLMA) among others. On April 13, 2010, Jackson Memorial Hospital in conjunction with the Committee announced significant changes to visitation policies regarding LGBT patients. In addition to the changes at Jackson Memorial Hospital, the Joint Commission (formerly the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations - JCAHO), published new guidelines addressing inclusion of LGBT patient and families in hospital visitation. Langbehn began educating LGBT groups as well as mainstream media about her family’s story. Langbehn spoke to bloggers, journalists and as a keynote speaker at larger functions. Nearly 30 speeches later, Langbehn continues to speak on the issues of marriage equality, same-sex hospital visitation, and the need for continued national attention regarding equality.
Florida Federal District Court Judge Jordan
Adalberto Jordan
Adalberto Jose Jordan is a Federal District Court Judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law, his alma mater, and at Florida International University's College of Law.- Early life and...
wrote in his Order to Dismiss, “If the plaintiffs’ allegations are true, which I assume that they are when deciding the defendants’ 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, the defendants’ lack of sensitivity and attention to Ms. Langbehn, Ms. Pond, and their children caused them needless distress during a time of vulnerability. The defendants’ failure to provide Ms. Langbehn and her children frequent updates on Ms. Pond’s status, to allow Ms. Langbehn and her children to visit Ms. Pond after emergency medical care ceased; to inform Ms. Langbehn that Ms. Pond had been transferred to the intensive care unit, and to provide Ms. Langbehn Ms. Pond’s medical records as she requested, exhibited a lack of compassion and was unbecoming of a renowned trauma center like Ryder. Unfortunately, no relief is available for these failures based on the allegations plead in the amended complaint”.
Langbehn continued to speak on the topic of hospital visitation and equality for all Americans. Langbehn spoke publicly about her partners' deaths for the first time at an Olympia, WA Pride
Gay pride
LGBT pride or gay pride is the concept that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity...
gathering on June 18, 2007, just four months after Pond’s death. Langbehn continued to speak out, despite the outcome of her lawsuit. Langbehn’s perseverance caught the attention of the New York Times writer Tara Parker-Pope
Tara Parker-Pope
Tara Parker-Pope is an author of books on health topics and a columnist for the New York Times, where she writes the Well blog. - Work :Her books include "For Better: How the Surprising Science of Happy Couples Can Help Your Marriage Succeed," "The Hormone Decision," and "Cigarettes: Anatomy of an...
. As a result of the article, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel
Rahm Emanuel
Rahm Israel Emanuel is an American politician and the 55th and current Mayor of Chicago. He was formerly White House Chief of Staff to President Barack Obama...
brought the article to the attention of President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
. On April 15, 2010, President Obama called Langbehn from Air Force One
Air Force One
Air Force One is the official air traffic control call sign of any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. In common parlance the term refers to those Air Force aircraft whose primary mission is to transport the president; however, any U.S. Air Force aircraft...
to apologize for the treatment her family received at Jackson Memorial Hospital and to inform her about the Presidential Memorandum
Presidential memorandum
A presidential memorandum is a type of presidential order issued by the President of the United States to the executive branch of the United States government. Presidential memoranda do not have an established process for issuance or publication...
he signed earlier that day. President Obama’s Memorandum directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius
Kathleen Sebelius
Kathleen Sebelius is an American politician currently serving as the 21st Secretary of Health and Human Services. She was the second female Governor of Kansas from 2003 to 2009, the Democratic respondent to the 2008 State of the Union address, and chair-emerita of the Democratic Governors...
to create a rule allowing hospital visitations for same-sex couples comparable to those of married and opposite sex couples. Following Langbehn’s phone call with President Obama, she spoke live to CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
news anchor Anderson Cooper
Anderson Cooper
Anderson Hays Cooper is an American journalist, author, and television personality. He is the primary anchor of the CNN news show Anderson Cooper 360°. The program is normally broadcast live from a New York City studio; however, Cooper often broadcasts live on location for breaking news stories...
on the show Anderson Cooper 360°
Anderson Cooper 360°
Anderson Cooper 360° is a one-hour television news show on CNN, hosted by the American journalist Anderson Cooper. It is also broadcast around the world on CNN International....
.
On June 22, 2010, Langbehn and her three children met with Secretary Sebelius and then attended a gay pride
Gay pride
LGBT pride or gay pride is the concept that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity...
reception at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
. Prior to the reception, President Obama met with Langbehn and the children to again offer his apology. While speaking at the reception, President Obama described the struggles the Langbehn-Pond family faced and the impact of his memorandum. The President said, "Just a few moments ago, I met with Janice Langbehn and her children... And when Janice's partner of 18 years, Lisa, suddenly collapsed because of an aneurysm, Janice and the couple's three kids were denied the chance to comfort their partner and their mom -- barred from Lisa's bedside. It was wrong. It was cruel. And in part because of their story, I instructed my Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, to make sure that any hospital that's participating in Medicare
Medicare
Medicare may refer to any of several publicly funded health insurance programs:*Medicare *Medicare *Medicare - See also :*Medicaid*Medicare Australia*Medicare Resources - China*Medicare Rights Center - United States...
or Medicaid
Medicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
-- that means most hospitals -- (laughter) -- allow gay and lesbian partners the same privileges and visitation rights as straight partners”.
In 2007 the Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is the United States' largest LGBT advocacy group and lobbying organization; according to the HRC, it has more than one million members and supporters...
published a report entitled the “Healthcare Equality Index” which examined equality of care in US hospitals. In 2010, the HEI reported indicated progress, crediting the Langbehn-Pond story for bringing the issue of hospital visitation for same-sex couples into the public eye. The proposed rule for “Fair Visitation” is currently in the final writing phase at the US Department of Health and Human Services. Over 1,250 public comments were received during the open comment period. The rule went into effect on January 18, 2011.
In 2010, Langbehn was awarded the Olympia
Olympia, Washington
Olympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County. It was incorporated on January 28, 1859. The population was 46,478 at the 2010 census...
, WA “Capital City Pride Award for 2010”. On September 25, 2010, Langbehn was awarded the National Equality Award by the Human Rights Campaign for her continued fight for equality in hospital visitation. Langbehn continues to speak for the need of equality for all and impressing upon her audiences that “holding Lisa’s hand was not a gay right but a human right.” Notable editor of the Windy City Times
Windy City Times
Windy City Times is Chicago's oldest LGBT newspaper, and the only Chicago gay publication with an independent circulation audit current as of 2008....
, Tracy Baim, wrote about the Langbehn-Pond family in her recently published book, Obama and the Gays: A Political Marriage. Also in 2010, the Human Rights Campaign published a Health Care Equality Index assessing America’s hospitals in their inclusiveness for treating LGBT families and individuals. This report was dedicated to the memory of Langbehn’s partner, Lisa Marie Pond. Lambda Legal will present Langbehn with their Liberty award in New York City on May 2, 2011.
On October 20, 2011, President Barack Obama presented Langbehn with the second highest civilian honor: the Presidential Citizens Medal
Presidential Citizens Medal
The Presidential Citizens Medal is the second highest civilian award in the United States, second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It is awarded by the President of the United States, and may be given posthumously....
.
Langbehn resides in Lacey
Lacey, Washington
Lacey is a city in Thurston County, Washington, United States. Established as a suburb of Olympia, its population was 42,393 at the 2010 census out of a county population of 252,264.-History:...
, WA raising the children that Pond and she adopted from the Washington State foster care program.
Lisa Marie Pond
Langbehn’s partner of 18 years, Lisa Marie Pond, collapsed on February 18, 2007 after a fatal brain aneurysm. She was only 39. Arriving at Ryder Trauma Center, Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Langbehn was barred from seeing Pond. Langbehn would not see Pond or receive information about her health status. Langbehn contacted friends in their hometown, Lacey, WA and the required documents were faxed to the hospital. Regardless of the legal documents, Langbehn and their jointly adopted children were not allowed to see Pond until eight hours later. Pond was declared brain dead the following morning. According to her wishes, her organs were donated, saving four lives.External links
- http://www.jhsmiami.org/
- http://abcnews.go.com/Health/HealthCare/obama-orders-hospitals-gay-partners-rights/story?id=10393478 Langbehn from Air Force One
- http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/Obama-Calls-Gay-Rights-Activist-From--91051334.html
- http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/06/23/Obama-hosts-White-House-LGBT-reception/UPI-29031277266514/
- http://lezgetreal.com/2010/04/bad-press-gets-florida-hospital-to-change-lgbt-visitation-policy/
- http://www.workers.org/2009/us/lisa_pond_1015/
- http://www.hrc.org/documents/Joint_Commission_Perspectives_January_2010.pdf