Gay Divorce Still Legal in California

Gay and lesbian couples who took advantage of California’s brief fling with gay marriage last year to tie the knot, but now can’t stand the sight of one another, will be relieved to hear that gay divorce remains an option.
Frederick Hertz, a lawyer in Oakland, Calif., who specializes in same-sex family law, told The Lede that since California’s Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that same-sex marriages that took place in 2008, before voters approved a ban in November, will remain “both valid and recognized,” that means “all the rules of marriage apply, including divorce.” That said, the state’s new law explicitly outlawing same-sex-marriage does create something of a gray area for couples who live in California, but were married in another state, or nation, and now want to get a divorce. As Mr. Hertz explains, the problem for unhappily married same-sex couples living in a state that bans same-sex marriage, is that “getting a divorce requires a recognition of the marriage.”
In an article explaining how the legal patchwork of state laws makes it nearly impossible for some same-sex couples to get divorced, the Los Angeles Times reported that a lesbian couple from Rhode Island who got married in Massachusetts were later denied a divorce in their home state, since the courts there can not recognize their marriage. See Gay Divorce Still Legal in California
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Gay marriage no, divorce yes

(Binghamton, New York) Gays and lesbians may not be able to get married in New York – but they can get divorced.

In what is believed to be the first ruling on the issue of gay divorce in the state, a judge in Binghamton, New York has granted a divorce to …

Only in New Jersey: No gay marriage but gay divorce

The AP reports that gay marriages performed outside New Jersey are recognized in the state for the purpose of divorce, according to a ruling Friday by a judge deciding whether a lesbian couple married in Canada can split.

State Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson said in an oral ruling that New Jersey, which doesn’t allow gays to marry, has a long history of recognizing marriages that are valid where they were performed.

“To grant the divorce here is not against public policy,” Jacobson said. “It’s consistent with the strong marriage recognition principles that have been practiced since the 1800s.”

See Only in New Jersey: No gay marriage but gay divorce
Proud Parenting

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Only in New Jersey: No gay marriage but gay divorce

“To grant the divorce here is not against public policy,” Jacobson said. “It’s consistent with the strong marriage recognition principles that have been practiced since the 1800s.”

See Only in New Jersey: No gay marriage but gay divorce
Proud Parenting

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Lesbian Couple Who Led Gay Marriage Fight To Divorce

BOSTON — A lesbian couple who led the fight for gay marriage in Massachusetts has filed for divorce. Julie and Hillary Goodridge were among seven gay couples who filed a lawsuit that led to a court ruling making Massachusetts the first state to legalize same-sex marriages in 2004. The couple became the public face of the debate in the state and married the first day same-sex marriages became legal.

The divorce case was filed last week in Suffolk Probate and Family Court and was not unexpected. The couple announced they were separating in 2006.

See Lesbian Couple Who Led Gay Marriage Fight To Divorce

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Lesbian couple who fought for marriage in Mass. to divorce

(Boston, Massachusetts) The lesbian couple whose fight to marry led to the 2003 court ruling that opened same-sex marriage in Massachusetts has reportedly filed for divorce.

The Boston Herald reports that Hillary and Julie Goodridge have split up and petitioned Suffolk Probate and Family Court to end their marriage. Details of …

Low divorce rates follow gay marriage

Over one gay marriage a day…it’s the Greater Manchester way.

Three years after the UK’s first Civil Partnership ceremony took place, research suggests that there’s been more than one gay marriage a day in Greater Manchester.

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 allowed gay and lesbian couples to enter into Civil Partnerships and share the same legal rights as married couples.

The Manchester Evening News suggests that there have been 1,365 same-sex civil ceremonies in Greater Manchester – averaging more than one a day. Most couples tied the pink knot in Manchester – with 659 ceremonies held so far.

Other gay wedding hot spots in the region include Salford with 115 ceremonies since 2005, and Stockport with 108. Trafford and Bolton were both close to the hundred mark, with 97 an 91 ceremonies respectively. While Oldham had 71 ceremonies, Rochdale (65), Wigan (63), Tameside (52), and Bury (44).

On the national front, earlier this year PinkNews.co.uk, reported that less than 1% of Civil Partnerships end in ‘divorce’.

Between December 2005 and December 2007 there were 24,629 Civil Partnerships in England and Wales and less than 250 have ended in dissolution.

Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights group Stonewall, found the same sex marriage ‘divorce’ statistics most encouraging: “This is a small number and it confirms that many people entering into civil partnerships take it very seriously indeed.”

In line with the burgeoning numbers of couples getting Civil Partnerships, much of the the gay marriage business is booming.

See Over one gay marriage a day…it’s the Greater Manchester way.
The Lesbian and Gay Foundation – Manchester,USA