In times of emergency, you may be unable to make medical decisions or state who you want to visit you. In these situations, hospitals may restrict visitation rights to a narrow interpretation of family that excludes those not legally or biologically related to the patient (read our Hospital Visitaiton Guide for LGBTQ Families for more information on your visitaiton rights). Similarly, state laws around medical decision-making often limit these rights to a patient’s biological family members when no documentation is designating a surrogate decision maker.

It is especially important for the LGBTQ community to take steps to ensure that the people we choose may visit us and make medical decisions on our behalf in times of emergency.

1. Complete advance healthcare directives and visitation authorization forms.

2. Talk with your primary care physician about your preferred visitors and advance healthcare directives.

3. Work with your local hospitals to get these completed forms on file.

4. Carry information related to your advance healthcare directives and visitation authorization forms in your wallet or other readily accessible area for emergencies.