Adoption and Parenting

(CHICAGO, February 5, 2001) — The Judicial Inquiry Board of Illinois issued an eight-count complaint Monday against a Cook County judge for allowing her anti-gay biases to interfere with adoptions sought by two lesbian families. The inquiry board will prosecute the complaint and seek appropriate sanctions before the Illinois Courts Commission.

(NEW YORK, November 7, 2000) – A mother whose teen son committed suicide after police in Minersville, Pennsylvania, harassed him and threatened to disclose that he was gay finally can take her wrongful-death case to trial, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund said Tuesday.

(NEW YORK, June 5, 2000) — Making its strongest statements yet on changing family structures, the United States Supreme Court on Monday struck down an expansive Washington visitation statute and rejected an appeal by a couple seeking more time with their grandchildren. The Justices, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund noted, were careful not to foreclose protections for lesbian, gay, and other non-biological parents.

(ATLANTA, May 31, 2000) — Sending a strong message that the best interests of children are not served by baseless assumptions and anti-gay stereotypes, a Florida appellate court has rejected a custody decision because it allowed prejudice to keep a lesbian mother from her two young children, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund said Wednesday.

(New York, Monday, January 12, 2004) - In two new publications released today, Lambda Legal provides guidance in resolving child custody and visitation issues that emerge when a couple divorces because one parent is gay.

One publication is geared toward the gay or lesbian parent, and the other is aimed at the heterosexual spouse.

(San Diego, March 25, 2004) - Saying that lesbian and gay patients have a right to equal access to medical care and must be allowed to seek justice when they face discrimination, Lambda Legal urged a California State Court today to reject a medical group’s “desperate attempt to block important claims in a case filed by a lesbian who was denied fertility services.

(Oklahoma City, OK April 5, 2004) - In a letter made public today, Lambda Legal is urging the Oklahoma Health Department to issue an accurate birth certificate to a girl who was legally adopted by two gay men.

(Dallas, Texas, April 7, 2004) - Brian Chase, Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal's South Central Regional Office in Dallas, “When presented with the real facts on the matter, the Oklahoma Health Department, came to a reasonable, rational and lawful conclusion that children adopted by two moms or two dads outside the state of Oklahoma need an accurate birth certificate. We are pleased that this matter is resolved so Vivian and her parents can get on with their lives.” Contact: Lisa Hardaway 212-809-8585 ext.266; pager: 888-987-1971

(Cincinnati, July 12, 2004) - Lambda Legal will ask an Ohio appeals court Tuesday to follow state law and allow a lesbian couple to legally protect their relationship with the child they are raising together.