Michigan doctor denies care for six-day-old based on parents' sexual orientation
Posted: Feb 19, 2015 6:31 PM EST
A Michigan doctor has denied medical service to a couple and their infant because of the parents' sexual orientation.
While the incident happened in October, the couple decided to break their silence on Wednesday.
Krista and Jami Contreras spent hours choosing the right doctor for their daughter, and they chose Dr. Vesna Roi.
Dr. Roi appeared to be the perfect choice, but when the couple brought their six-day-old daughter in for her first checkup, they were in shock when another physician told them Dr. Roy would not treat their infant because Krista and Jami are lesbians.
“Your job is to keep babies healthy, and you can't keep a baby healthy that has gay parents? We know this happens in the world and we're completely prepared for this to happen other places, but not at our six-day-old's wellness appointment,” says mother Jami Contreras.
Dr. Roi issued a letter of apology to the couple, saying she did not believe she could have the relationship with the Contreras she does with other families.
The doctor's discrimination against both the baby and against her parents is not against the law in Michigan, however, 21 states do have laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.
While the incident happened in October, the couple decided to break their silence on Wednesday.
Krista and Jami Contreras spent hours choosing the right doctor for their daughter, and they chose Dr. Vesna Roi.
Dr. Roi appeared to be the perfect choice, but when the couple brought their six-day-old daughter in for her first checkup, they were in shock when another physician told them Dr. Roy would not treat their infant because Krista and Jami are lesbians.
“Your job is to keep babies healthy, and you can't keep a baby healthy that has gay parents? We know this happens in the world and we're completely prepared for this to happen other places, but not at our six-day-old's wellness appointment,” says mother Jami Contreras.
Dr. Roi issued a letter of apology to the couple, saying she did not believe she could have the relationship with the Contreras she does with other families.
The doctor's discrimination against both the baby and against her parents is not against the law in Michigan, however, 21 states do have laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.
