Civil Rights Project News
Vermont Supreme Court Upholds Visitation for Janet Jenkins and Daughter
Vermont’s highest court issued a ruling on March 14 upholding visitation rights for Janet Jenkins and her five-year-old daughter, Isabella. Isabella’s biological mother, Lisa Miller, Janet’s former civil union spouse, challenged Janet’s parental rights in a case that has been ongoing since the …
The Importance of Family, at Any Age
Starr Waisenen and Connie Bergen have raised their daughter Melissa together for the past 24 years. But until a recent Maine Law Court decision (see story below) allowing same-sex couples to jointly adopt, Starr and Melissa had no legal relationship. In this story from Maine Public Broadcasting …
Civil Unions in New Hampshire
As of January 1, 2008, New Hampshire same-sex couples are able to enter into civil unions. If you are a New Hampshire resident and have questions on the new law, please contact GLAD’s Legal InfoLine.
Rhode Island Court Blocks Couple’s Divorce
The Rhode Island Supreme Court ruled today that the state’s Family Court does not have jurisdiction to recognize a same-sex couple’s Massachusetts marriage for the purpose of granting them a divorce.
Read More:
- The decision [PDF]
- GLAD’s statement on the decision [PDF]
- …
Limited ENDA Passes House
With a vote of 235-184, the US House of Representatives passed HR 3685, a version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which does not include protections based on gender identity. The vote came after a period of strong community mobilization in support of an inclusive bill. GLAD, along …
GLAD Files Amicus Brief in Massachusetts Loss of Consortium Lawsuit
GLAD has filed an amicus brief in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in a medical malpractice case involving an alleged failure to appropriately test for and diagnose breast cancer. The case raises the question of whether the now-surviving same-sex spouse has the right to bring a claim for …
Victory for Same-Sex Parents and Children in Maine
At last, Ann Courtney and Marilyn Kirby of Portland will be able to form a permanent, legal parental relationship with their foster children, 10-year-old “M” and her brother, six-year-old “R”. In a unanimous decision, Maine’s Law Court issued a ruling that paves the way for the siblings to be …
Vermont Commission Studying Marriage Equality
Legislators have formed the Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection to study the possibility of bringing full marriage equality to Vermont. The commission held their first meeting on Thursday, August 23, and plans to hold public hearings throughout the state to determine public …
GLAD Cheers Defeat of Anti-Gay, Anti-Marriage Equality Measure
The Massachusetts Legislature voted 151 - 45 to defeat an anti-gay, anti-marriage equality amendment. With today’s vote, the equality GLAD won in the Goodridge decision stands safe in Massachusetts.
Gay Mainers to Have Family Medical Leave
Maine’s legislature passed a bill extending the protections of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to same-sex couples and their families. Working with Equality Maine, the Maine Civil Liberties Union, and the Maine Women’s Lobby, GLAD helped organize testimony, planned media strategy, and talked …