Comments on: Virginia Supreme Court to Hear Case of Ex-Gay Mom’s Flight from Justice

By: Michael Airhart

Michael Airhart — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:08:12 +0000

Here's some additional context published today in the Richmond Times-Dispatch: [After Lisa Miller fled Vermont with Isabella,] A Vermont court granted a dissolution of the union giving Lisa primary custody and her former partner, Janet Miller-Jenkins visitation. Lisa, however, went to court in Frederick County, Va. and won an order stating that she was the sole parent and that Janet had no custody or visitation rights.

However, in 2006, the Virginia Court of Appeals reversed the Frederick County ruling, holding that federal law requires each state to respect the child custody and visitation rulings of another state so that chaos will not erupt when a parent unhappy with a result runs to another state for a different ruling.

By: Larry Seiferth Jr.

Larry Seiferth Jr. — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:31:09 +0000

David,

HUH? DOMA was signed into law by Bill Clinton. I think you are either really confused or trying to be sarcastic(?) Either way, better try again to make your point.

By: David R Usher

David R Usher — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:52:42 +0000

This insanity underlines the need for DOMA. The disease of same sex marriage will spread as states who do not recognize SSM assert jurisdiction for one reason or another. When a state asserts jurisdiction over the termination of a marriage not recognized by that state, the marriage becomes recognized. It is only a matter of time before SSM itself becomes recognized.

Obviously, states that do not recognize SSM have no jurisdiction over these “marriages” or divorces. Judges should send these people back to their home state to handle the problems they created. There is no requirement under URESA or any other federal law for states to do so.

DOMA must be passed.