Same-Sex Marriage and Adoption in the News

Russia appears poised to expressly deny adoptions of Russian children by same-sex foreign couples.  The measure is in a parliamentary committee, and has the support of President Vladimir Putin.  All Americans, regardless of sexualorientation, are barred from adoption in Russia, a 2012 retaliatory gesture after the US imposed sanctions on Russia for human rights abuses.

France and New Zealand passed same-sex marriage measures this week, as well as the Senate of the US state of Rhode Island, where final approval is imminent.  Rhode Island will mark the 10^th US state to approve marriage equality, and the last of all six New England states. 

While same-sex couples can enjoy certain rights in ten US states and the District of Columbia, there still remain inequalities at the federal level.  LGBT advocates in the US are anticipating a ruling on two cases before the US Supreme Court (Hollingsworth v. Perry and Windsor v. United States) which are direct challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA.)

Should DOMA be overturned, Glickman Turley looks forward to assisting bi-national same-sex married couples in negotiating equal access to immigration laws.  We also look forward to the day when our services for same-sex, co-parent adoption are no longer necessary.

Same Sex Marriage Passes in Three More States

The election on November 6, 2012 resulted in three more states allowing same sex marriage: Maine, Maryland, and Washington state. There are now a total of 9 states that have legalized same sex marriage. Three states recognize same sex marriages that are performed outside state lines. For more on this story, click here.

For representation on LGBT rights and same-sex co-parent adoption cases, please contact Glickman Turley LLP at 617-399-7770.

Glickman Turley's experienced attorneys represent individuals on a wide range of immigration matters, as well as other legal issues. Please contact our attorneys if you wish to discuss representation on immigration matters, real estate purchase and sales, condominium associations, criminal defense, non-profit law, civil litigation, business litigation, business law, trademark law, probate matters including wills, powers of attorney, health care proxy, same-sex co-parent adoptions, guardianships, animal law, or LGBT legal matters.

State Records Show Romney Against New Birth Certificates for Gay Parents

The Boston Globe reported that Massachusetts state records revealed that former Governor Mitt Romney opposed efforts by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics to revise birth certificate forms for same-sex parents. The Registry of Vital Records made efforts to comply with Massachusetts's 2003 legalization of gay marriage law, but Governor Romney rejected the Registry's efforts because, he said , "The children of America have the right to have a father and a mother...What should be the ideal for raising a child? Not a village, not 'parent A' and 'parent B,' but a mother and a father." 

The Registry's plan would allow the box labeled for "father" to be labeled as "father or second parent." Instead, Romney forced the Registry to obtain approval from his legal staff after "individually review[ing] the circumstances of every birth to same-sex parents." Once approval was obtained, "hospital officials and town clerks across the state [were] permited to cross out by hand the word 'father' on individual birth certificates, and then write in 'second parent,' in ink." Handwritten corrections on birth certificates was a violation of existing law. 

It was only after Governor Deval Patrick assumed office that the appropriate changes were made to revise the birth certificate forms acknowledging children of same-sex marriages. 

Click here to read the story. 

For representation, please contact Glickman Turley LLP at 617-399-7770.

Glickman Turley's experienced attorneys represent individuals on a wide range of immigration matters, as well as other legal issues. Please contact our attorneys if you wish to discuss representation on immigration matters, real estate purchase and sales, condominium associations, criminal defense, non-profit law, civil litigation, business litigation, business law, trademark law, probate matters including wills, powers of attorney, health care proxy, same-sex co-parent adoptions, guardianships, animal law, or LGBT legal matters.    

Dept. of State and Russian Officials: Agreement For Bilateral Adoption Goes Into Force

As of November 1, 2012, an Agreement between the United States and the Russian Federation will go into effect that provides new guidance and procedures with respect to bilateral adoptions. Department of State (DOS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have worked closely "to promote a safe, ethical, and transparent adoption process" for intercountry adoptions, according to a statement released by USCIS. 

The transition period for all provisions to go into effect with commence on November 1, 2012, and continue for a six to nine months period. The Russian Federation still does not permit American same-sex couples to adopt Russian children. 

For more information on the Agreement, click here. 

For representation, please contact Glickman Turley LLP at 617-399-7770.

Glickman Turley's experienced attorneys represent individuals on a wide range of immigration matters, as well as other legal issues. Please contact our attorneys if you wish to discuss representation on immigration matters, real estate purchase and sales, condominium associations, criminal defense, non-profit law, civil litigation, business litigation, business law, trademark law, probate matters including wills, powers of attorney, health care proxy, same-sex co-parent adoptions, guardianships, animal law, or LGBT legal matters.    

U-Visa for Victims of Crime

Attorneys at Glickman Turley LLP represent a variety of clients on U-visa petitions. Our clients who have been victims of domestic violence, sexual crimes, and racially motivated attacks have been granted protection in the US in the form of a temporary 4-year U-visa and later permanent resident status.

You may be eligible for a U-visa if you have been the victim of a crime in the US, have suffered substantial physical or emotional injuries, and helped or will help law enforcement with the investigation or prosecution of the crime. Please contact our attorneys if you believe that you may be eligible for a U-visa or if you would like to discuss representation on other immigration matters. Our attorneys also represent clients on matters relating to real estate purchase and sales, condominium associations, criminal defense, non-profit law, civil ligitation, business litigation, business law, probate matters including wills, powers of attorney, health care proxy, adoptions, and guardianships, animal law, gay lesbian bisexual transgender law.

Also, please see a recent USCIS memorandum regarding its approval of 10,000 U-visa petitions in the past year.