GAY SPOUSE WANTS TO GO HOME

February 19, 2013

Protesters are upset with a probate court decision that gives someone other than a gay spouse temporary guardianship over a man with possible Alzheimer’s disease. Photo: Christopher Roy

NEWPORT CITY - A group of protesters lined up outside the Emory Hebard State Office Building Tuesday in support of a same sex couple from Orleans.
The state recently prevented one of the men, 66-year-old Norman Sheldrake, from returning to his home on a temporary order because the Probate Court believed Sheldrake was being neglected.
"The imminent issue is that if he is discharged to his home without a guardian, he faces the risk of renewed neglect as he is unable to properly care for himself due to dementia," stated Probate Court Judge John Monette in his decision.

For more of this story, and a response from Norman Sheldrake, see Wednesday's edition of The Newport Daily Express for Feb. 20, 2013.