Lesbian Mom Appeals Judge’s Refusal of Adoption to US Supreme Court

Lesbian Mom Appeals Judge’s Refusal of Adoption to US Supreme Court

A woman in Alabama requested the US Supreme Court to revisit the decision of an Alabama court which did not recognize her adoption of her same-sex partner’s three children. In addition, she asked the Supreme Court for an emergency order which would let her visit the children while her appeal is being considered.

According to the woman, the decision by the Alabama Supreme Court does not allow her to see the children, even though she has raised them since birth. The Alabama Supreme Court refused to recognize the decision of a Georgia court to recognize the adoption, declaring that the adoption was void.

The court claimed that the Georgia court did not properly apply Georgia law, as it makes no provision for a non-spouse to adopt a child unless the parental rights of the current parents are terminated. Cathy Sakimura, NCLR Family Law Director, has stated that the Alabama Court has no legal ability to second guess the judgment of the Georgia court, calling this a serious constitutional violation.