It's Not Just Shopping, Urban Lofts, and the Lesbian Gay-By Boom: How Sexual Orientation Demographics Can Inform Family Courts

Abstract

3. Match these Canadian provinces or territories with the correct percentage of same-sex couples living there: 3 A. Nova Scotia (largest city Halifax) 1. 0.21% B. Ontario (largest city Toronto) 2. 0.39% C. Saskatchewan (largest city Saskatoon) 3. 0.46% D. Yukon Territories (largest city Yellow Knife) 4. 0.57% II. SEXUAL ORIENTATION DEMOGRAPHICS AS TOOLS FOR FAMILY COURTS The answers to the quiz may surprise you. Many people think of lesbians and gay men as white, wealthy, childless, urban singles; and media and popular culture trade in those beliefs. 4 But that's far from the whole story. 5 Demographic patterns show us that the truth about same-sex 2.

The Social, Political, and Judicial Contexts of Queer Marriage in the United States

“…Although this receives less attention in the family literature (c.f., van EedenMoorefield, Martell, Williams, & Preston, 2011), its focus in the legal literature is more significant (e.g., Brower, 2009;Hoogs, 2003). Family courts oversee divorce proceedings and use case precedent to rule.…”

“…Family courts oversee divorce proceedings and use case precedent to rule. Most often the legal precedent of equitable distribution is used to inform judicial rulings (Brower, 2009). In most cases, no partner endures a greater legal burden than another.…”

“…As such, equitable division is not used to guide judicial rulings and one partner may bear greater legal burden (Brower, 2009). In addition, if there were an exchange of money as part of a divorce settlement it could be considered income by the IRS and taxed at a higher rate than if the monetary exchange occurred as part of a typical divorce proceeding.…”

“…For these couples, and the approximately 6.7 million gay individuals not reporting a relationship status, the ambiguity experienced represents unique contextual influences impacting their daily lives. For example, if a same-sex couple lives and marries in Connecticut, but then drives to Oklahoma for vacation, they lose their marital status as they cross state lines (Brower, 2009). If the couple has a child, then their parental status or rights may be at risk.…”

Same‐Sex Relationships and Dissolution: The Connection Between Heteronormativity and Homonormativity

“…Strategically, these studies are important and needed, as they have proved useful in advancing law (e.g., same-sex marriage) and policy (e.g., partner medical coverage options in the workplace) that support gay and lesbian-headed families (Brower, 2009;Stacey & Biblarz, 2001).…”