Oral history interview with Janice K. Langbehn, 2021
Abstract
Janice Langbehn reflects on her activism on behalf of gay and lesbian couples and families, and discusses her encounters with President Obama and the Obama White House. She recounts her upbringing in Washington state, and shares memories of her relationship with her partner, Lisa Pond, including about their careers as social workers, navigation of the discriminatory environment toward same-sex coup les during the 1990s and 2000s, and their experiences as foster parents and parents of their four adopted children. Langbehn tells the story of Pond's aneurysm during a family cruise from Miami, Florida, in 2007, and the Jackson Memorial Hospital's refusal to allow Langbehn and her children to visit Pond before her death, despite Langbehn's presentation of relevant legal documents. She recounts her development as a public advocate for LGBT hospital and visitation rights following Pond's death, and provides details about her public speaking, work with Lambda Legal and the lawsuit she filed against Jackson Memorial Hospital, her April 2010 phone call with Obama during which the president apologized for her treatment and informed her of the memorandum he signed instructing the Department of Health and Human Services to take steps to protect visitation rights for same-sex couples, her family's attendance and experience at pride celebrations at the White House in June 2010, and her receipt of the Presidential Citizens Medal in 2011
Presidents--United States; Sexual minorities--Social conditions--United States; LGBT activism--United States; Sexual minorities--Legal status, laws, etc.--United States; Langbehn, Janice; Obama, Barack; Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund; United States. Department of Health and Human Services
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2021
Physical Description
50 pages
Note (Biographical)
Janice Langbehn is an American social worker, lawyer, and activist. She became an advocate for hospital and medical rights for LGBTQ Americans after her partner, Lisa Pond, passed away from an aneurysm in 2007 and Langbehn was denied hospital visitati on rights. In 2011, President Obama awarded her the Presidential Citizens Medal, the country's second highest civilian honor, for her activism
Note
Interviewed by Nicole R. Hemmer on August 6, 2021. This interview is part of the Columbia University: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Janice K. Langbehn, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023