The New York Times took a look at the obstacles faced by same sex couples attempting to establish legal ties to children. With A.R.T., many lesbian couples choose to have children. In some states, where same-sex unions are recognized by law, some obstacles are not present--school enrollments, for example. In Your Money, the NY Times explores some of the benefits that these couples have to give up. Included is the right to survivor benefits from Social Security. Some couples have to give up rights to retirement plans of a partner.
When the couple has minor children, how do couples protect their children? The article discusses the challenges faced by these parents and how some choose to accomplish this.
A related blog article links to a free download of a report produced by the Movement Advancement Project, the Family Equality Council and the Center for American Progress, which also outlines the many other rights, benefits and legal responsibilities that are at stake when legal ties cannot be established. The report, Securing Legal Ties for Children Living in LGBT Families, may be downloaded here.
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