This week, President Obama took a step in the right direction with the LGBTQ community. Since most of the attention on him has recently been focused around the heath care bill, it seems to have slipped somewhat under the radar that this amazing step was taken. He formally asked the Department of Health and Human Services to establish rights for same-sex couples granting them hospital visitation. This is a huge deal, since previously, only immediate family members and legally recognized spouses were allowed visitation in times of crisis.

While I obviously advocate for marriage for all, I believe there are ways around it. Personally, I feel that if I decide to spend the rest of my life with one person, I do not need the symbolism of standing in a church to profess my love to them. If both my partner and I know that we love each other and plan on spending the rest of our lives together, that is enough for me. However, I know this is not enough for everyone, and rightfully, should not be. What I most strongly disagree with what gay couples are being denied of since they cannot legally marry, is when these two individuals profess their love to each other and decide that they are going to spend their lives together and they are not granted the right to spend the last moments together. Obama has overturned this, and made this possible.

This act by Obama stemmed from one particular case where Janice Langbehn was denied access to see her partner of 17 years, Lisa Pond, after she collapsed on vacation in Florida. For hours she begged the hospital to let her see her partner and was denied because legally, they were not married. Lisa ended up dying before Janice could say goodbye to her. Last week, however, she got a call from Barack Obama offering her the apology that the hospital never gave. While nothing can undo the hurt that she has undeniably been through, knowing that she had a part in overturning prejudiced legislation and receiving a call from the President was probably a humbling experience.

In Obama’s statement, he said, “There are few moments in our lives that call for greater compassion and companionship than when a loved one is admitted to the hospital. Yet every day, all across America, patients are denied the kindness and caring of a loved one at their sides.” While many people in the LGBTQ community have shown frustration with Obama’s handling of gay rights, I think this is an admirable step in the right direction. I personally did not think that Obama was going to step into office and immediately make gay marriage universally legal. He has however, repealed Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, put marriage rights in the hands of individual states, and now granted hospital visitation to LGBTQ partners, and for that, I think he should be commended.