Politics
- The Pentagon report on the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell says that same-sex partners of servicemembers would still not be entitled to the same benefits as opposite-sex spouses. Apparently, the military is worried that unmarried opposite-sex partners would want benefits, too. Until such time as it realizes there are workable solutions, Nancy Polikoff notes that a number of “member-designated” benefits that are not specific to spouses may at least offer some benefits for same-sex partners. Of course, if the repeal doesn’t pass, it may all be a moot point.
- South Australia’s Legislative Council voted in favor of a bill allowing both the bio and non-bio moms to appear on the birth certificate of their child. It must now pass the House of Assembly.
Custody Cases
- The New Mexico Court of Appeals ruled that a same-sex partner of an adoptive mother can’t seek child custody of the child they raised but may request visitation. Nancy Polikoff provides details and analysis. In brief, Bani Chatterjee and Taya King became a couple in 1993, and in 2000 adopted a toddler from Russia. Only King became a legal parent, because same-sex couples cannot adopt in Russia and because there was prejudice against Chatterjee because of of her race. When they split two years ago, King cut off contact between Chatterjee and their child. Polikoff notes that the New Mexico ruling contradicts how the state handles cases of a bio and non-bio mom, where the non-bio mom is presumed to be a legal mother.
- A U.K. court ruled that a lesbian couple must give partial custody of their two children to the gay man who was their sperm donor. The man claimed he had an active role in the children’s lives.
Outrage of the Week
- Members of the Belmont University women’s soccer team say coach Lisa Howe was forced to resign because she was about to have a baby with her same-sex partner.
Entertainment