Gay Man Dragged Away From Partner's Hospital Bed Because Missouri Doesn't Recognize Civil Unions

Reason #72,831 why all couples in love should be afforded the right to marry:
Police were called when Roger Gorley refused to leave the bedside of his sick partner, Allen, in a Missouri hospital on Tuesday — cops sided with Allen’s family because he and Roger were unmarried.
The cops put Roger in handcuffs, escorted him off the hospital grounds, and even issued a restraining order against him — all because he wanted to be near the man he’s been in a civil union with for five years.
Roger and Allen even filled out paperwork legally allowing them to make medical decisions for one another, but none of those documents mattered when Allen’s family and the hospital forced Roger to leave.
After being dragged from his lover’s bed, Roger sadly admitted:

├óΓé¼┼ôI was not recognized as being the husband, I wasn├óΓé¼Γäót recognized as being the partner. [The nurse] didn├óΓé¼Γäót even bother to go look [the Power of Attorney paperwork] up to check into it.”

Ugh! This is so so so very sad, but not at all shocking! If Missouri recognized same-sex marriages, this never could’ve happened!
Research Medical Center only issued this lame statement:

“We believe involving the family is an important part of the patient care process. And, the patient`s needs are always our first priority. When anyone becomes disruptive to providing the necessary patient care, we involve our security team to help calm the situation and to protect our patients and staff. If the situation continues to escalate, we have no choice but to request police assistance.”

Meh.
Every person deserves the right to stay by their soulmate’s side in sickness and in health.
Allen clearly wanted his partner in that hospital room, that’s why they filled out legal documents which were supposed to prevent a homophobic family member or some cruel nurse from standing between them!!
Sadly, all the legal documents in the world didn’t matter. Power of Attorney forms don’t hold a candle to something as symbolically important as a wedding ring.
Until same-sex marriage is readily accepted in every single state, bigots and homophobes in positions of power will continue squashing the rights of same-sex lovers whenever they can!!
And it makes us sick!!
Our hearts go out to the loving couple; hopefully Allen makes a speedy recover with Roger right by his side.
[Image via Facebook.]