Para colmo, el condado internó a Clay en contra de su voluntad en
un asilo diferente al de Harold, que murió a los tres meses, sin que
a Clay se le permitiera estar a su lado en todo ese tiempo.
Clay ha sido despojado del hogar y la vida que compartió con su
pareja a lo largo de veinte años, incluidas propiedades y mascotas
(que se temen muertas). El único objeto que le queda es un álbum
de fotos que Harold consiguió a duras penas construir para su
pareja, durante sus últimos meses de vida.
Tras conseguir su liberación del geriátrico gracias al trabajo de una
abogada, Clay ha demandado al condado, a la compañía de
subastas y a los responsables sanitarios. En este proceso cuenta
con el asesoramiento del Centro Nacional para los Derechos
Lésbicos (NCLR), y el juicio tendrá lugar el 16 de julio. Hay una
página en Facebook para dar visibilidad a lo ocurrido.
Cabe señalar que las fuentes de información sobre esta historia
son aún escasas. A la espera de detalles publicados en la prensa
tradicional, la propia web oficial del Condado de Sonoma confirma
que el caso fue tratado a puerta cerrada en noviembre de 2009
(sección ‘Closed Session, 3′).
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this
source
un asilo diferente al de Harold, que murió a los tres meses, sin que
a Clay se le permitiera estar a su lado en todo ese tiempo.
Clay ha sido despojado del hogar y la vida que compartió con su
pareja a lo largo de veinte años, incluidas propiedades y mascotas
(que se temen muertas). El único objeto que le queda es un álbum
de fotos que Harold consiguió a duras penas construir para su
pareja, durante sus últimos meses de vida.
Tras conseguir su liberación del geriátrico gracias al trabajo de una
abogada, Clay ha demandado al condado, a la compañía de
subastas y a los responsables sanitarios. En este proceso cuenta
con el asesoramiento del Centro Nacional para los Derechos
Lésbicos (NCLR), y el juicio tendrá lugar el 16 de julio. Hay una
página en Facebook para dar visibilidad a lo ocurrido.
Cabe señalar que las fuentes de información sobre esta historia
son aún escasas. A la espera de detalles publicados en la prensa
tradicional, la propia web oficial del Condado de Sonoma confirma
que el caso fue tratado a puerta cerrada en noviembre de 2009
(sección ‘Closed Session, 3′).
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this
source
www.ambiente.us MAY | MAYO 2010
Separaron por la fuerza a dos ancianos gays en Estados
Unidos
Tras veinte años viviendo juntos en California, las autoridades locales tratan a una
pareja de ancianos gays como meros compañeros de casa, impidiéndoles compartir
sus últimos meses de vida juntos, internándolos en diferentes asilos y despojando al
superviviente de todo su patrimonio, compartido con el fallecido.
La historia que nos llega desde el Condado de Sonoma, en California, es
sobrecogedora. Harold Scull -de 88 años en aquel momento- y su pareja Clay M.
Greene -de 77- vivían juntos desde hacía veinte años y se habían nombrado
respectivos herederos y responsables legales en caso de precisar decisiones
médicas. Tras una caída, Harold tuvo que ser internado, y en ese momento comenzó
un calvario que continúa hasta hoy.
Para empezar, los responsables sanitarios y del condado ignoraron las disposiciones
legales que la pareja había preparado y se negaron a permitir a Clay visitar a su
pareja (de haber ocurrido ahora, posiblemente se habrían beneficiado de la medida
recientemente anunciada por el presidente Obama contra la discriminación a
pacientes LGTB en hospitales que reciban fondos públicos).
A continuación las autoridades procedieron a subastar las
pertenencias compartidas por ambos hombres sin analizar a
quién pertenecía cada cosa, considerando a Harold como
alguien sin familia y a Clay como un simple compañero de piso.
Separaron por la fuerza a dos ancianos gays en Estados
Unidos
Tras veinte años viviendo juntos en California, las autoridades locales tratan a una
pareja de ancianos gays como meros compañeros de casa, impidiéndoles compartir
sus últimos meses de vida juntos, internándolos en diferentes asilos y despojando al
superviviente de todo su patrimonio, compartido con el fallecido.
La historia que nos llega desde el Condado de Sonoma, en California, es
sobrecogedora. Harold Scull -de 88 años en aquel momento- y su pareja Clay M.
Greene -de 77- vivían juntos desde hacía veinte años y se habían nombrado
respectivos herederos y responsables legales en caso de precisar decisiones
médicas. Tras una caída, Harold tuvo que ser internado, y en ese momento comenzó
un calvario que continúa hasta hoy.
Para empezar, los responsables sanitarios y del condado ignoraron las disposiciones
legales que la pareja había preparado y se negaron a permitir a Clay visitar a su
pareja (de haber ocurrido ahora, posiblemente se habrían beneficiado de la medida
recientemente anunciada por el presidente Obama contra la discriminación a
pacientes LGTB en hospitales que reciban fondos públicos).
A continuación las autoridades procedieron a subastar las
pertenencias compartidas por ambos hombres sin analizar a
quién pertenecía cada cosa, considerando a Harold como
alguien sin familia y a Clay como un simple compañero de piso.
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Suit Charges Elderly Gay Partners Were Forced Apart
By Gerry Shih
Clay M. Greene’s story, as recounted in his recent lawsuit against Sonoma County, is a
tale of loss, doubled and redoubled. For gay men and lesbians, the series of events
outlined in the complaint hits very close to home.
Mr. Greene, a 78-year-old gay man from Sebastopol, has filed a lawsuit against Sonoma
County after saying he sustained a spate of indignities at the hands of officials during a
bizarre estate battle that took place when his partner, who was 88, fell and became
hospitalized in 2008.
News of Mr. Greene’s complaint came as President Obama was making headlines for
his order extending hospital visitation rights and decision-making authority to same-sex
partners.
The detailed complaint was filed on March 22, but news of it began ricocheting around the
Internet, beginning on gay and lesbian sites Sunday and reaching venues like Daily Kos
by Monday.
Mr. Greene’s troubles began when Harold Scull, his partner for more than 20 years, fell
down the steps of their home in April 2008. At the time, the complaint said, Mr. Scull was
showing signs of mental impairment.
County officials successfully petitioned the court to gain some powers of conservatorship.
Then they “sold, kept, converted to their own use, and otherwise disposed of” almost
$500,000 worth of belongings from the home shared by the two men — including
furniture, art objects, memorabilia from the years Mr. Scull spent working in Hollywood, as
well as a truck and two cats, the lawsuit alleges.
Mr. Greene said that he and Mr. Scull had previously specified each other as executors in
case either became incapacitated, but the county ignored the legal
By Gerry Shih
Clay M. Greene’s story, as recounted in his recent lawsuit against Sonoma County, is a
tale of loss, doubled and redoubled. For gay men and lesbians, the series of events
outlined in the complaint hits very close to home.
Mr. Greene, a 78-year-old gay man from Sebastopol, has filed a lawsuit against Sonoma
County after saying he sustained a spate of indignities at the hands of officials during a
bizarre estate battle that took place when his partner, who was 88, fell and became
hospitalized in 2008.
News of Mr. Greene’s complaint came as President Obama was making headlines for
his order extending hospital visitation rights and decision-making authority to same-sex
partners.
The detailed complaint was filed on March 22, but news of it began ricocheting around the
Internet, beginning on gay and lesbian sites Sunday and reaching venues like Daily Kos
by Monday.
Mr. Greene’s troubles began when Harold Scull, his partner for more than 20 years, fell
down the steps of their home in April 2008. At the time, the complaint said, Mr. Scull was
showing signs of mental impairment.
County officials successfully petitioned the court to gain some powers of conservatorship.
Then they “sold, kept, converted to their own use, and otherwise disposed of” almost
$500,000 worth of belongings from the home shared by the two men — including
furniture, art objects, memorabilia from the years Mr. Scull spent working in Hollywood, as
well as a truck and two cats, the lawsuit alleges.
Mr. Greene said that he and Mr. Scull had previously specified each other as executors in
case either became incapacitated, but the county ignored the legal
| . |
documents and the history of their relationship, and at one point referred to Mr. Greene as
Mr. Scull’s “roommate.”
Citing the state of Mr. Greene’s mental health, county officials then moved him against his
will into a nursing home and sold the rest of his belongings, the suit charged. He was not
allowed to visit Mr. Scull, who died several months later, in August 2008.
The nursing home, Agua Caliente Villa of Sonoma, is named as a defendant in the case.
So is the auction company that sold the couple’s belongings.
The National Center for Lesbian Rights has joined the lawsuit, calling the situation an
example of why “same-sex couples need full equality.”
Gay and lesbian elderly individuals, in particular, are vulnerable because “they are often
estranged from their family and don’t have a legally recognized relative,” said Shannon P.
Minter, the legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “Even here, where they
had filled out legal documents, because their relationship is so thoroughly invisible and
disrespected, it didn’t protect them.”
Mr. Minter said Mr. Greene’s situation was far less likely to happen to the surviving spouse
of a heterosexual marriage.
Messages left at the office of Sonoma County’s legal counsel seeking comment were not
returned. A message seeking comment left at the office of Anne Dennis, Mr. Greene’s
lawyer, was not returned. Mr. Minter said Mr. Greene was unavailable for comment
because he was in a “fragile” psychological state.
Embedded in the legalese of the complaint were stark anecdotal nuggets. At one point, as
county officials moved through the couple’s home, the complaint alleged, they
commented on the “quality” and “desirability” of the furnishings. They also mocked Mr.
Greene, he said, calling him a “crazy old man,” said he had “dementia” and was a lost
cause, laughed at him, and told him to “shut up and go
Mr. Scull’s “roommate.”
Citing the state of Mr. Greene’s mental health, county officials then moved him against his
will into a nursing home and sold the rest of his belongings, the suit charged. He was not
allowed to visit Mr. Scull, who died several months later, in August 2008.
The nursing home, Agua Caliente Villa of Sonoma, is named as a defendant in the case.
So is the auction company that sold the couple’s belongings.
The National Center for Lesbian Rights has joined the lawsuit, calling the situation an
example of why “same-sex couples need full equality.”
Gay and lesbian elderly individuals, in particular, are vulnerable because “they are often
estranged from their family and don’t have a legally recognized relative,” said Shannon P.
Minter, the legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “Even here, where they
had filled out legal documents, because their relationship is so thoroughly invisible and
disrespected, it didn’t protect them.”
Mr. Minter said Mr. Greene’s situation was far less likely to happen to the surviving spouse
of a heterosexual marriage.
Messages left at the office of Sonoma County’s legal counsel seeking comment were not
returned. A message seeking comment left at the office of Anne Dennis, Mr. Greene’s
lawyer, was not returned. Mr. Minter said Mr. Greene was unavailable for comment
because he was in a “fragile” psychological state.
Embedded in the legalese of the complaint were stark anecdotal nuggets. At one point, as
county officials moved through the couple’s home, the complaint alleged, they
commented on the “quality” and “desirability” of the furnishings. They also mocked Mr.
Greene, he said, calling him a “crazy old man,” said he had “dementia” and was a lost
cause, laughed at him, and told him to “shut up and go
| . |
to your room.”
On another instance, Mr. Greene claimed that employees acting as the county’s Deputy
Public Guardians rolled their eyes and said in his presence, “you know how those gay
boys are” and later expressed “displeasure at dealing with expressions of grief by a gay
man who had lost his longtime partner.”
The case will go to trial on July 16, Mr. Minter said.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
On another instance, Mr. Greene claimed that employees acting as the county’s Deputy
Public Guardians rolled their eyes and said in his presence, “you know how those gay
boys are” and later expressed “displeasure at dealing with expressions of grief by a gay
man who had lost his longtime partner.”
The case will go to trial on July 16, Mr. Minter said.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
Para colmo, el condado internó a Clay en contra de su voluntad en
un asilo diferente al de Harold, que murió a los tres meses, sin que
a Clay se le permitiera estar a su lado en todo ese tiempo.
Clay ha sido despojado del hogar y la vida que compartió con su
pareja a lo largo de veinte años, incluidas propiedades y mascotas
(que se temen muertas). El único objeto que le queda es un álbum
de fotos que Harold consiguió a duras penas construir para su
pareja, durante sus últimos meses de vida.
Tras conseguir su liberación del geriátrico gracias al trabajo de una
abogada, Clay ha demandado al condado, a la compañía de
subastas y a los responsables sanitarios. En este proceso cuenta
con el asesoramiento del Centro Nacional para los Derechos
Lésbicos (NCLR), y el juicio tendrá lugar el 16 de julio. Hay una
página en Facebook para dar visibilidad a lo ocurrido.
Cabe señalar que las fuentes de información sobre esta historia
son aún escasas. A la espera de detalles publicados en la prensa
tradicional, la propia web oficial del Condado de Sonoma confirma
que el caso fue tratado a puerta cerrada en noviembre de 2009
(sección ‘Closed Session, 3′).
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this
source
un asilo diferente al de Harold, que murió a los tres meses, sin que
a Clay se le permitiera estar a su lado en todo ese tiempo.
Clay ha sido despojado del hogar y la vida que compartió con su
pareja a lo largo de veinte años, incluidas propiedades y mascotas
(que se temen muertas). El único objeto que le queda es un álbum
de fotos que Harold consiguió a duras penas construir para su
pareja, durante sus últimos meses de vida.
Tras conseguir su liberación del geriátrico gracias al trabajo de una
abogada, Clay ha demandado al condado, a la compañía de
subastas y a los responsables sanitarios. En este proceso cuenta
con el asesoramiento del Centro Nacional para los Derechos
Lésbicos (NCLR), y el juicio tendrá lugar el 16 de julio. Hay una
página en Facebook para dar visibilidad a lo ocurrido.
Cabe señalar que las fuentes de información sobre esta historia
son aún escasas. A la espera de detalles publicados en la prensa
tradicional, la propia web oficial del Condado de Sonoma confirma
que el caso fue tratado a puerta cerrada en noviembre de 2009
(sección ‘Closed Session, 3′).
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this
source