We should keep in mind that there is no proven relationship between the Sheraton Sand Key Resort and this awful story about the lesbian couple.  The political reason for boycotting all Florida hotels is to avoid spending our travel dollars in states that have atrocious social and political laws and policies.  This is an act of conscience.  But as such, it's political impact is slight.  It won't change state policy.  And it might burden the wrong individuals in Florida.

I'm sure there are many Floridians who are just as appalled as we are by this story and who vote for candidates who would change the law.  Maybe some of those voters work at the Sheraton Sand Key.  So boycotting could hurt the wrong individuals, and have no political impact.

If we want our boycott to have some political impact, and not just be an act of conscience (there's nothing wrong with that in itself but it's limited in impact), we should write to Florida legislators or other officials and tell them what we are doing and why.  Otherwise there may be no change at all.

Marilyn Friedman

________________________________________
From: Feminist ethics and social theory [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bonnie Mann [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 3:22 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: FW: More on the Florida case

Thanks Joan,

It is much more powerful, if wrenching, to read the story in the words of a person who experienced it.  I just want to add that this ill treatment is not only of the two women, but their children are also treated in the most cruelly abominable fashion here.  Can you imagine being a young child faced with the death of your mother and, while trying to deal with that, being told that she's not your mother and you can't say good-bye to her?  At least the adults can put this into some context, understand what is happening as an injustice that is structural and political, but the kids, I imagine, must just be torn apart by such decisions.

Bonnie

On Fri, 9 Oct 2009 08:54:22 -0400, "Callahan, Joan" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> For more on the Florida hospital's treatment of a lesbian and her dying partner, please see the following post.  This is profoundly disturbing.
>
> http://blog.mattalgren.com/2009/09/hospital-forces-lesbian-to-die-alone/
> ------ End of Forwarded Message