http://www.civilunionsupdate.com/index.phpRealtime News and Opinion on Civil Unionsenjvmac@mac.comCopyright 2008 Jimmy Verner2008-03-07T21:12:19-06:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:27:37 -0600jvmac@mac.comFamily Law Updates2008-03-07T21:12:19-06:00http://www.civilunionsupdate.com/files/Same-Sex-Marriage-but-not-Divorce.php#unique-entry-id-2http://www.civilunionsupdate.com/files/Same-Sex-Marriage-but-not-Divorce.php#unique-entry-id-2
In a later-2007 decision called Chambers v. Ormiston, the Rhode Island Supreme Court held that Rhode Island courts do not have no jurisdiction to grant divorces to same-sex couples. Although Rhode Island does not permit same-sex marriage or civil unions, Rhode Island residents Margaret Chambers and Cassandra Ormiston traveled to Massachusetts - which does permit same-sex marriage - and obtained a marriage license. They were married before a Massachusetts justice of the peace, after which they returned to Rhode Island.

Unfortunately, the relationship between the spouses deteriorated. Ms. Chambers filed for divorce against Ms. Ormiston. But the Chief Judge of the Family Court asked the Rhode Island Supreme Court whether the Family Court had jurisdiction to grant a divorce to a same-sex couple.

The Rhode Island Supreme Court found no jurisdiction to grant the divorce, ruling that when the legislature enacted the divorce statute in 1961, "marriage" unequivocally meant heterosexual relationships. Two justices disagreed, stating that Rhode Island's divorce statute "does not bar the doors of the Family Court to Rhode Island citizens desiring a judicial determination of their marital status."]]>jvmac@mac.comFamily Law Updates2008-01-19T17:57:38-06:00http://www.civilunionsupdate.com/files/How-to-Get-Hitched-if-You-Are-Gay.php#unique-entry-id-1http://www.civilunionsupdate.com/files/How-to-Get-Hitched-if-You-Are-Gay.php#unique-entry-id-1wire service story lays out the nuts and bolts on how gay couples may get married in Massachusetts or enter into a civil union in Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont. These are the only four states in the United States that allow marriage/civil unions between same-sex couples.

Massachusetts requires both parties to appear before a town hall of any city in the Commonwealth and fill out a form. Both parties must prove age and residency. A license is issued after three days. A ceremony must occur within 60 days. Gay residents of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Mexico can get married in Massachusetts. Otherwise, they can get married there only if they declare that they intend to move to Massachusetts.

The civil union rules for Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont are much more simple: One or both parties appear before an official to complete a form; the ceremony must take place within 60 to 90 days, depending on the state. There are no residency restrictions.

The story includes links to resources to learn more about gar marriage/civil unions and contacts if there are any problems with officials or paperwork.]]>jvmac@mac.comFamily Law Updates2008-01-15T10:24:00-06:00http://www.civilunionsupdate.com/files/Civil-Unions-in-Vermont-New-Hampshire-and-Uruguay.php#unique-entry-id-0http://www.civilunionsupdate.com/files/Civil-Unions-in-Vermont-New-Hampshire-and-Uruguay.php#unique-entry-id-0Xinhua. Many Brazilians are expected to take advantage of that law by zipping across the border to get hitched.

New Hampshire now permits civil unions. The telegram.com says that might be a boon for tourism. Some locals already are putting out rainbow-painted deck chairs, flying rainbow flags and painting shutters purple.

Back in 2000, Vermont became the first state to allow civil unions. But lots of gay people believe they should be able to marry, not just form a civil union. According to the AP, the debate's hearing up again in Vermont as proponents of gay marriage push for change.]]>