Roger Gorley was visiting his partner, Allen, at Research Medical Center in Missouri on Tuesday 4/11/13 when he was put in handcuffs and forcibly removed by hospital security for refusing to leave his partner's bedside. A family member of Allen (Gorley's partner) asked Gorley to leave and hospital staff refused to recognize Gorley's relationship and his right to be at his partner's bedisde. This is appalling discrimination.

 

We call on the hospital to:

(1) Apologize to Mr. Gorley and his partner 

(2) Allow Mr. Gorley full visitation rights to his partner

(3) Take action against any staff who behaved in a homophobic manner

(4) Ensure this does not happen again with other same-sex couples

(5) Issue a media statement apologizing for this entire incident

 

Initial News Reports

"Man no longer allowed to visit husband at KC hospital" (Fox 4C, 4/11/13)

"Missouri man arrested at hospital for refusing to leave gay partner" (Raw Story, 4/11/13)
​

"Gay Man Arrested At Missouri Hospital For Refusing To Leave Sick Partner, Not Recognized As Family" (Huffington Post, 4/11/13)

"Missouri Man Arrested For Refusing To Leave His Husband’s Hospital Bedside" (Think Progress, 4/11/13)

"WATCH: Gay Man Arrested in Mo. for Refusing to Leave Partner's Hospital Bedside" (The Advocate, 4/11/13)

 

Updates & Follow-Up Statements

Public Relations Statement by the Hospital (4/11/13): http://on.fb.me/17tCbV4 

Personal Account by Gorley's Daughter (4/11/13): read here

Interview of Mr. Gorley's daughter: "Exclusive interview with daughter of gay man handcuffed, dragged from husband’s hospital bed" (Americablog, 4/11/13)

Comment from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid: "Federal Officials Aim For 'Speedy' Response Following Missouri Hospital Arrest" (BuzzFeed, 4/11/13)

 

Media References to Petition

Article at GLAAD.org: read here

Article at SFGate.com: read here

Article at ibtimes.com: read here

Article at Gay Rights: read here

 

Websites

Research Medical Center: www.facebook.com/ResearchMedicalCenter

Gay Marriage USA: www.facebook.com/GayMarriageUSA