Judge overturns Ark. adoption ban
MSNBC.com reports a state judge on April 16 struck down an Arkansas law approved by voters that banned gay couples and other unmarried people living together from serving as adoptive or foster parents.
Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza said in a two-page ruling that people in “non-marital relationships” are forced to choose between becoming an adoptive parent and sustaining that relationship.
“Due process and equal protection are not hollow words without substance,” Piazza said. “They are rights enumerated in our constitution that must not be construed in such a way as to deny or disparage other rights retained by the people.”
Custody case could change Mich. law
Advocate.com reports a Michigan judge has opened the door in a case that could grant gay people the right to custody of biological children of their former same-sex partners.
In the case, Renee Harmon is seeking parenting time with the three children she raised with Tammy Davis, the biological mother of the children and Harmon’s ex-partner. The women were together 19 years.
On April 16, Wayne County circuit judge Kathleen McCarthy ruled that Harmon’s request could move forward to determine whether Harmon and Davis had an agreement to share custody.
Currently, the only people who can petition for custody are biological parents, or the husband of the biological mother if the child was born during marriage. McCarthy’s ruling “is a historic moment,” said Harmon’s lawyer, Dana Nessel, adding she believes joint custody will be granted because her client can easily prove that a custody agreement existed between the women.
Park City OKs gay-rights law
The Salt Lake Tribune reports Park City has joined the list of Utah communities that passed ordinances protecting gay and transgender people from discrimination in housing and employment matters.
The City Council unanimously approved the ordinances April 15. They mirror a pair of measures passed by Salt Lake City last fall.
The new laws prohibit discrimination, but religious organizations, employers with 15 or fewer employees and landlords with fewer than four rental units are exempt from the rules.
Park City Mayor Dana Williams says the council initially considered an ordinance that disallowed any exemptions, but he’s satisfied with the new laws.
At least six other Utah cities are considering similar ordinances.
— Larry Nichols