The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled unanimously September 28, 2012 that Massachusetts must recognize other states’ parallel spousal statuses for same-sex couples, such as California registered domestic partnerships. Under the ruling, both spouses are the legal parents to children born into such unions.

GLAD served as lead appellate counsel in this case before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) concerning the parentage of two children born into a California registered domestic partnership (RDP). The Massachusetts Probate and Family Court ruled that both parties are equal legal parents for the two children and, pursuant to established child custody standards, awarded our client, A.E.H., primary physical custody.  GLAD continues to argue that Massachusetts should respect the legal spousal status granted by the RDP and extend to couples who have established that status the full scope of spousal protections, including those related to children born into the relationship and the ability to dissolve the relationship.

Oral argument took place before the SJC on May 8, 2012.