The Supreme Court
on Monday let stand a lower-court ruling that gave
parental rights to a lesbian who helped raise a child with
her partner, the child's biological mom. The nine
justices declined to hear an appeal of last fall's
Washington State high-court ruling, which decided
that Sue Ellen "Mian" Carvin was a "de facto" parent to
the child she raised with former partner Page Britain, the
Associated Press reports.
The two women had lived together for five years
before Britain was artificially inseminated and gave
birth to a daughter in 1995. According to the AP, the
girl called Carvin "Mama" and Britain "Mommy."
But after Britain broke off the relationship in
2001, she prevented Carvin from seeing their daughter
and later married the sperm donor. The man lives in
Thailand, where Britain and the girl are now on an
"extended visit," according to the AP.
In a statement Carvin said she is "thrilled that
the United States Supreme Court decided not to review
this case and that the Washington State supreme court
decision will stand." The AP reports that settlement
discussions will now ensue.
The highest court in the land has yet to take up
a case dealing with the parental rights of gays and
lesbians in such custody disputes. (The Advocate)