As an elder law attorney this is very disturbing since it was clear that the reason was based not on the law but solely on the couples same-sex status. The social worker told the partner that this was "an anti-gay city and state".
 
The hospital's reaction is very disturbing from a legal point of view. A durable power of attorney is the document we rely on knowing that, without the document, non-family members will not have the same access as family members. The hospital asserts that it's actions were to protect the hospital's privacy responsibilities to the patient. However, ignoring the specific wishes of the ill partner silences all of us when we cannot speak for ourselves.
 
I wish the only moral of the story was to make sure that you have a well drafted, tailor made power of attorney if you are in any kind of "non traditional" relationship but the facts indicate that at least, in this case, it would not have mattered.