Equality Maryland Rips Gov. Ehrlich in the Baltimore Sun

[bertha katzenengel]

Editorial by Dan Furmansky, Executive Director of Equality Maryland

MOST MARYLANDERS agree they want their spouse's hand clasping theirs when they are in intensive care. They want him or her to speak on their behalf when they are unconscious or unable to speak for themselves. They trust they will be able to see their loved one's reassuring face as they are being transported to a hospital. And they take for granted that their other half's knowledge of their wishes should guide the important decisions about how their body will be treated after they pass away.

Unfortunately, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. does not believe these rights should extend to all Marylanders, as evidenced by his veto of the Medical Decision Making Act.

In his veto message, Mr. Ehrlich claimed he did not want to "undermine the sanctity of marriage." Sanctity, according to some dictionaries, is "holiness of life."

Certainly, John Lestitian respected the sanctity of Jim Bradley's life. When Mr. Bradley, his partner of 13 years, died, Mr. Lestitian couldn't carry out Mr. Bradley's written instructions to be cremated without first gaining the consent of Mr. Bradley's parents, who caused their son great emotional anguish over the years. . . .

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