Amrit B. - Florida

Gary and Amrit.

Gary and I met on September 11, 2003. Around 4:35pm. I fell in love instantly. I was 20 years old when I met him. I had never been with anyone. I was so shy, scared and meek. He believed in me, had faith in me, and saw beauty in me.  

We never parted. Although we did face several obstacles, we always overcame them, and found a way to be together. Eventually, we got to a place where we could live together. Just us. It was magical. My dreams came true. We were so happy. Gary was perfect for me. We were a team.

Together, we traveled the world: Paris, Mexico, and his favorite place, New York City. He was my soul mate.

Then, on May 20, 2023, we went to the nearest hospital emergency room near where we lived in Florida because Gary was having chest pains. We first believe it was just exhaustion, but thought it was important to get it checked out.

It was a Catholic hospital. Governor Ron DeSantis had just signed SB 1580 (the "License to Discriminate" law) into law, which allows healthcare providers and insurance companies to refuse to provide or pay for services based on "conscience-based objections" or religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. The law even allows hospitals to decline treatment.

Gary was a 66-year-old man who told the emergency room staff he was having chest pains and cold sweats. They wouldn’t see him immediately. Instead, they told him to take a seat in the waiting room. Not 10 minutes later, he went into cardiac arrest and died in my arms right there.

They should have helped him immediately.

My life was destroyed that day.

Because we were not legally married; I cannot take legal action. My heart and soul know it's wrong. We were right there! They should have helped him.

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