Rhode Island judge won’t grant lesbian divorce, questions constitutionality of restriction
“It seems to me that this is a matter needing immediate attention and one that very plainly belongs in the hands of the legislature and the executive branch.”
Superior Court. Judge Patricia Hurst, referring to her own ruling that Margaret Chambers and Cassandra Ormiston, a lesbian couple that were married in Massachusetts, cannot be divorced in Rhode Island because same-sex “marriage” is not recognized in the state. The judge then appeared to question the estranged couple’s access to equal protection under the Family Court Act of 1961. Ormiston is said to be renting a home in Massachusetts for one year to qualify for a divorce in that state instead. (http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2008/06/12/judge_raises_constitutional_issue_in_ri_gay_divorce_case/)
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