Liberty Counsel
NEWS RELEASE

Contact: PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT - 800-671-1776

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2007

Washington, DC - Today the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to take one of the many facets of a complicated legal battle between Virginia and Vermont over same-sex unions and the right of fit, biological parents against unrelated third parties. The case is Miller v. Jenkins. Liberty Counsel represents Lisa Miller.

Lisa Miller and Janet Jenkins entered into a Vermont civil union while residents of Virginia. Lisa gave birth to her minor child through artificial insemination from an anonymous donor, but the relationship ended when Janet became abusive and Lisa became a Christian. The Vermont Supreme Court granted parental rights to Janet, who continues in her lesbian lifestyle. However, in Virginia, where Lisa resides, the state law and constitutional amendment do not recognize any rights associated with same-sex marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships.

The Court was asked to review one of the rulings in the battle between Vermont and Virginia. Specifically, the Court was asked to review a Vermont Supreme Court decision that extended parental rights to Janet Jenkins over the objections of Lisa Miller, the fit, biological parent.

In deciding not to take the matter, the Court did not rule on the merits of the case. The case is still pending at the Vermont trial court, following the ruling by the Vermont Supreme Court. Once the trial court rules on visitation and custody, the case will go back to the Vermont Supreme Court and another petition will then be filed with the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the High Court also has before it another petition of a ruling from the Virginia Court of Appeals. At the same time, the case is also currently pending before the Virginia Supreme Court.

Mathew D. Staver, the Founder of Liberty Counsel and the Dean of Liberty University School of Law, said: "The clash between Vermont and Virginia illustrates the need for protection, so that one state is not forced to accept same-sex unions from another state. This case will soon return to the High Court. Same-sex advocates are using children to further their agenda. The agenda is self-centered. That is sad, because children are not political fodder."

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