April 17, 2008 8:16 AM
Lisa Miller Update - urgent - prayer needed!
Remember Lisa Miller? She needs our prayers. The Virginia Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments this morning in her case - which will undoubtedly have implications nationwide.
Lisa is the former lesbian biological mother of Isabella, whose former partner under Vermont law is seeking custody of a daughter unconnected biologically or through adoption to any mother but Lisa. At issue are dueling state laws: Vermont's, which recognizes gay marriage, and Virginia's which doesn't.
While all of us - including Lisa - have been busy with laundry and grocery shopping and nightly prayers, Lisa's court case has been winding its way through the court system.
Janet Jenkins' aggressive legal pursuit has included demanding complete custody of Isabella - though she hasn't lived with her for over four years - because she claims Lisa's Christianity is dangerous to Isabella. The writs submitted by Janet's side read like early 70's feminist manifestos - hard to believe that this kind of rhetoric has made it into our judicial system.
So far, the Vermont family court judge has been very sympathetic to Janet's arguments.
On Friday, the Virginia Supreme Court will be hearing the case. Read about it here:
Virginia Court to Hear Lesbian Custody Battle by Devon Williams, associate editor 'This is such a critical case because it affects the rest of the nation.'The Virginia Supreme Court will move a step closer on Thursday to deciding whether a lesbian woman will win custody of her ex-partner’s child, a decision that could undermine the state’s marriage amendment.
Janet Jenkins, who has no biological or adoptive ties to Lisa Miller’s 6-year-old daughter, Isabella, is seeking parental rights because she was in a relationship with Miller when the child was born. Miller got pregnant through artificial insemination from an anonymous donor, and the couple eventually ended the relationship.
Though Miller and Jenkins are Virginia residents, the Vermont Supreme Court, which issued the couple’s civil union in 2000, recently granted parental rights to Jenkins. However, the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is in place to protect states like Virginia from being forced to recognize another state’s same-sex union. Further, Virginia has a Marriage Affirmation Act and a constitutional amendment that define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
Read entire article here.
Background story: Lisa Miller/ Janet Jenkins custody battle - can a child have two mothers?
See also: Virginia Supreme Court to weigh in on lesbian couple's custody battle
[I took the pictures of Lisa and Isabella one year ago when I interviewed Lisa for the World article.]
I apologize for not getting this up sooner for prayer. But justices don't hand down their decisions on the same day they hear arguments, so your prayer still matters.
“Pray as though everything depends on God, then work as though everything depends on you.”
Posted in Current Affairs, Homosexuality | Permalink
Comments
I am praying - read about this the other day on World Net Daily and remembered your previous blogs about Lisa. May God have mercy on this mother and child. May God grant the justices the wisdom of Solomon.
Posted by: Kathy | April 17, 2008 9:49 AM
Barbara, I just learned of this yesterday. How horrendous. I can't believe that a judge would rule in favor of someone who isn't even related to the child! Sickening.
Thanks again for the great workshop at Mount Hermon. Talk to you soon.
Bethany
Posted by: Bethany Britton | April 17, 2008 1:18 PM
A legal precedent in which the Christian faith of a parent is considered harmful to the child! The implications are breathtaking. The selfless err on the side of caution. The gay agenda is far from selfless. Sadly, children are merely instruments to further a goal in many cases. They care not how much they screw up a child's early life furthering an agenda.
Posted by: Joy Mc | April 19, 2008 9:42 AM
