 |
| Rachelle (left) with her partner, Angela VanHoose |
With all the progress we’ve made for LGBT equality in Washington, I didn’t think I’d be treated any differently in my divorce because of my sexual orientation. But I was wrong.
After nearly 20 years of marriage to my former husband and having three beautiful children, I filed for divorce last year because I realized that I am a lesbian.
Even though I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for more than 15 years—for my children’s entire lives—the court gave primary custody of our children to their father, and now I have my children only a few days every other week. The court also restricted me from talking to my children about homosexuality, religion, or other “alternative lifestyle concepts” unless I obtained specific approval for each conversation from their counselor.
Legal Voice, with the help of attorneys at the Perkins Coie law firm, is representing me in my appeal of this ruling. I am so grateful for their advocacy and support, and I am asking—on behalf of all individuals facing discrimination—for your support.
Please make a gift to Legal Voice on Give OUT Day on Thursday, May 21st. They are working to change the system so that no one else has to go through what my children, my partner, and I are going through. During this time when Legal Voice is supporting me, I hope you, in turn, will support them.
- Rachelle Black, Legal Voice Client
Posts
