Nov 1st, 2001
A legal roller coaster for GLBT families in California.
On October 14, 2001, Governor Gray Davis of California signed Assembly Bill 25, expanding rights for domestic partners in that state. The bill makes California the first state to link domestic partner registration to parenting, explicitly providing same gender couples with the right to adopt a partner’s child. The law will take effect on January 1, 2002.
Just a few days later, GLBT families were threatened by a setback. According to the San Francisco Chronicle (10/27/01) “…a state appellate court in San Diego has ruled 2 to 1 that California law does not authorize second-parent adoptions…the stunning decision could invalidate every such adoption in the state, unless the state Supreme Court overturns the ruling.”
Assemblywoman Carole Migden responded to the ruling by announcing she will introduce legislation to protect existing second-parent adoptions. (Migden is also the author of AB 25.)
Confused? Below are a few links to help keep you informed on the latest developments:
-
Kate Kendall, Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights assures families there is no need to panic.
Family Pride Coalition Denounces Court Ruling in a Second-Parent Adoption Case
The sponsor of AB 25, California Alliance for Pride and Equality (CAPE) provides an easy-to-read explanation of the rights included in the new law.