Hypothetical #1:
You own a hotel in America. You have a reservation for an "A&S Smith" from Canada on their honeymoon. They show up, marriage certificate in hand, and turn out to be Adam and Steve Smith, just married in Toronto, Canada. They've reserved the Honeymoon Suite and have been promised all the treatment customarily given to newly-weds.
What do you do?
Hypothetical #2:
You run a hospital in America. You are responsible for deciding which family member makes the decisions for incapacitated patients (those who cannot speak for themselves).
An ambulance shows up with Adam and Steve Smith inside. Adam is fine but poor Steve was hit by a truck while crossing the road. Steve is in a coma. Adam insists that being Steve's lawfully wedded spouse he has the responsibility to make decisions on Steve's behalf.
What do you do?
2007-06-07 05:10:02 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In the first case the hotel/motel have a contractual agreement between A&S Smith. Once agreed to they are legally bound to it no manner who A&S are.
In the second case, unfortuneately, in the US it doesn't manner what citizenship you are, the law of the jurishdiction you are in prevail. In this case Adam has no rights of a spousal nature in any state in the US. Why? Becasue the US privacy laws are written to cover and prevent non-blood reletives to be considered anything but associates.
It is extremely important for gay couples to have durable power of attorney for medical treatement for ones partner.
In some states there is a requirement for directing long term care as well.
Do your research well and protect yourselves and your relationships with all the necessary legal documents necessary to protect your rights and your properties.
Don't wait, that truck that hit Steve could be aimed at you or your spouse next.
2007-06-07 05:36:28 · answer #1 · answered by .*. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, in both situations Adam and Steve (cute) are legally married. If I chose not to serve them at the hotel, I could be sued. If I choose to not let Adam make decisions on Steve's behalf, I could lose my license to practice healthcare. Though a person may be morally opposed to gay marriage, ethics tell them that they cannot discriminate. I think I would give them what is technically due to them (hotel service and decision-making responsibilty) and then pray for God to forgive me if I made the choice that was wrong in His eyes.
2007-06-07 12:20:07 · answer #2 · answered by Sarah R 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You allow the spouse to make the decision. You treat them as you would want to be treated. We are not here to judge that is not our job. If you would want poeple to treat you with respect regardless of what your sexual orientation is don't you think that others feel the same way? Just because someone is in a same sex relationship or marriage does not mean that they do not get the same treatment as other newlyweds or other patients.
2007-06-07 12:15:45 · answer #3 · answered by karamelchem_1 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
#1: do what was promised when they made reservations
#2: do what the law says about who has the right to decide such things.
Would one do anything different if the people in question were non-Christian or adulterers or sinners of any other kind?
2007-06-07 12:17:15 · answer #4 · answered by Vernacular Catholic 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
1: Follow your Bible-trained conscience.
2: Follow the law of the land. If the law says they are legally spouses, then they have the legal right to make those decisions. This one is not a moral question, but a legal one.
I am against gay marriage, but do not deny the fact that they have free will to do what they want. I will also not treat them cruelly or persecute them, but I will point out that the Bible says it's wrong.
2007-06-07 12:15:57 · answer #5 · answered by Epitome_inc 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
1st scenario, you follow through on what your hotel has set in place for newlyweds.
2nd scenario is difficult, seriously. Being Canadian citizens I'm not sure how the two laws mesh...
the 2nd is an interesting question... I assume he would be "next of kin"
2007-06-07 12:15:07 · answer #6 · answered by small group guy 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
why would them being 2 men change the way you would behave? they are married, just like a man and a woman and are entitled to be treated as such.
2007-06-07 13:19:35 · answer #7 · answered by chelley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Follow the law. Legally if the law permits them to marry then you cannot argue their rights.Nor would I.
2007-06-07 12:14:08 · answer #8 · answered by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Pay tribute to Caesar etc.
2007-06-07 12:16:13 · answer #9 · answered by nikola333 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋