Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) hailed the decision of the United States Supreme Court today not to hear an appeal in the case of Miller-Jenkins v. Miller-Jenkins, involving a custody dispute between former Vermont civil union partners Lisa Miller and Janet Jenkins.  GLAD represents the non-biological mom, Janet Jenkins, who is seeking to maintain her relationship with her child.

The U.S. Supreme Court was asked by the Liberty Counsel to review a September 2006 decision by the Vermont Supreme Court, which had rejected Lisa's appeal of three Vermont Family Court orders: one holding her in contempt for refusing to obey court-ordered visitation for Janet, one declaring that Janet is a legal parent of the child, and one refusing to accept a later entered Virginia court order declaring Lisa the sole parent. GLAD filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court opposing review.  Read GLAD’s Brief at http://www.glad.org/GLAD_Cases/MJ_SC_OppositionBrief.pdf.

“We applaud the U.S. Supreme Court’s action,” said GLAD senior attorney Jennifer L. Levi.  “Fairness means that well-established principles of family law apply equally to all families. All children deserve the protection of the law and a loving relationship with both of their parents.  There should be no gay exception.”

For more information on the case, visit www.glad.org/GLAD_Cases/CivilRightsProject.html#Miller-Jenkins.
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders is New England’s leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and HIV status.  GLAD is active in all six New England states.

# # #