Lesbian Moms Push for Parental Rights in Mexico, Austria

This month, three lesbian couples -- one in Mexico and two in Austria -- are vying for the parental rights that accompany both the beginnings and the dissolutions of their respective marriages.

In March, Alejandra Bandera Rosales and Claudia Brizeiry Lopez Ramos became the first legally married same-sex couple in the Mexican state of Michoacan, reports Gay Star News. Since then, the couple has been fighting against a federal Family Code that would leave them at risk of losing custody of their children if they traveled to states without equal marriage rights.

This weekend, the couple learned that their home state ruled in their favor, agreeing that the policy violated the Mexican Magna Carta and the Treaty of International Human Rights; however, Congress' disagreement with the decision may limit the victory to Michoacan.

At the same time, the Austrian High Court has been hearing the cases of two lesbian mothers who claim their partners should have acces to child support money and caretaking time, reports The Local in Austria.

While Austria has registered same-sex partnerships since 2010, couples are still not able to jointly adopt or cross-adopt each other's children. While the Family Ministry pointed out that changing this law would clarify the two couples' situation, the High Court remains in deliberations.