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Win for lesbian co-mothers
By
Minnie Bruce Pratt
Jersey City, N.J.
Published Jun 13, 2005 8:40 PM
Lesbian couple Jeanne
LoCicero and Kimberly Robinson of New Jersey won a court battle on May 23 to
list both of their names as parents on the birth certificate of their new-born
daughter, Vivian Ryan. The victory, a first for the state, continues an
expansion of lesbian and gay rights by New Jersey courts, including a recent
ruling that lesbian and gay couples are entitled to the same tax exemptions as
heterosexual married couples.
LoCicero and Robinson, who are
registered as domestic partners in New Jersey and married in Canada, conceived
Vivian through artificial insemination (AI). Under state law, the male partner
of a heterosexual couple who use AI has his name automatically listed on their
child's birth certificate. Lawyers for LoCicero and Robinson successfully argued
these lesbian mothers should have similar legal protection.
The
court ruling gives immediate legal and economic benefits to Vivian, including
eligibility for health insurance as a dependent of either mother. Previously in
New Jersey, a lesbian co-mother had to petition the court for an adoption to
gain parental rights. This process took six months to two years, cost a hefty
amount of money, and involved intrusive interviews and even fingerprinting by
state agencies.
Judge Patricia Talbert conceded the point that the
lesbian, gay, bi and trans movement has been clearly vocalizing: that the notion
of “family composed of mom, dad and two children applies, in fact, to only
23.5 percent” of the U.S. population.
Articles copyright 1995-2012 Workers World.
Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved.
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