Getting divorced is bad enough — now imagine if a couple dozen Republicans decided that they need to become involved in your breakup too, and prevent you from seeing your kid.
That’s what’s going on Tennessee right now, where a basket of deplorable Republican lawmakers are insisting that a court disregard a lesbian couple’s marriage. The women are named Erica and Sabrina, and they were married in Washington DC in 2014. They conceived a child through artificial insemination, and now they’re ending their relationship and going through the nightmare of paperwork that involves.
But the nightmare got even worse when 53 GOPers joined forces with the loathsome Family Action Council of Tennessee, filing a motion to intervene in these women’s legal proceedings. Imagine if your senator just knocked on your door one day, barged in, and said “hey I know you’ve got problems but I’m here to make them worse.”
At issue is an out of date Tennessee law that only extends parental rights to the “husbands” of women who get artificial insemination. Obviously, the Supreme Court’s Obergerfell decision demands that states revise these sorts of laws to offer due process and equal protection, but many states haven’t caught up yet and now these 53 Republicans are trying to stand against progress, claiming that the state has a vested interest in preventing one of the moms from seeing her child. Ugh.
One judge has already ruled that one of the mothers has no parental rights, and now the case is going to appeal. Hopefully saner judges with preside.
Now then, gay Republicans, remind us one more time why you are not completely insane to support a party that wants to tear your family apart?
radagastthe3rd
Well Queerty asked for a gay Republican to respond so here I am.
If you think that the only political battle that matters is divorce law then you are far more insane than gay Republicans. Yes, the GOP is hopelessly wrong on GLB issues. We are working on changing that through groups like LCR but realistically it’s going to be a hard fight until we get some gay presidential candidates to change the face of our party.
I’d like to thank Queerty for posting this article. It’s journalism like this which raises awareness of bigotry and helps people like me to put pressure on my party to be more inclusive.
Low Country Boy
I seriously fail to see how these loathsome people have any legal standing to intervene in this divorce proceeding. And shame on the party to this divorce who would a child as a bargaining chip to inflict pain on your former partner. Disgusting.
Mo Bro
First of all, any such ruling would get struck down by a higher court—period. So unbunch your panties, these ladies will be fine.
Secondly, let not one group of religious fanatics represent the entire Republican party, lest you also allow groups like BLM or OWS or Black Panthers or Muslim Brotherhood to represent all Democrats.
Thirdly, I second what radagastthe3rd said.
Alistair Wiseman
@radagastthe3rd:
I mostly agree with what you have said, but rest assured, Queerty did not post the article to “raise awareness of bigotry” within the GOP. An inclusive GOP is the last thing the editors at Queerty want.
DCguy
@radagastthe3rd: stated: “Yes, the GOP is hopelessly wrong on GLB issues. We are working on changing that through groups like LCR”
—–
Except for the fact that LCR has endorsed anti-gay bigots, AND gives cover to anti-lgbt politicians. That isn’t working for change, that is protecting bigotry and endorsing anti lgbt hatred.
DCguy
@Alistair Wiseman:
Alistair, once again, you never post any reason that you support Trump. Lets hear any details about him, his policies, or his history that makes you support him.
All you do is lash out. You know, like any self hating person would.
Alistair Wiseman
@DCguy:
You are like a broken record, certainly not a broken clock.
I have written several times that I am a conservative (and a former Democrat) and since Donald Trump is no conservative, I am not certain whom I will be voting for on election day. At this point, I only know who I won’t be voting for – Hillary Clinton.
Donald Trump was already the presumptive Republican nominee when we had our primary here in California – I did not for Donald Trump.
I tend to think that there will be few pure, unadulterated votes for either candidate in November.
NateOcean
At this point isn’t the phrase “blowhard Republican” pretty much redundant?
Goforit
@Mo Bro: First, if “any such ruling would be struck down by a higher court—-period”; why waste the courts time and the states taxes? So much for tort reform or fiscal responsibility. To say nothing of them just being jerks.
Second, “unbunch your panties, these ladies will be fine”. How “fine” will the child be after being denied one parent for as long as this takes to work its way through the court system? “Think of the children” rings a little hollow. But it plays well to the knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing Trump supporters.
Third. There are 132 Tennessee legislators. 102 of them are republicans. I think that when more than half of them (53) are part of this frivolous suit, one can safely say that yes, this group of “religious fanatics” (your words, not mine) DO represent the republican party.
PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID
*off topic*
Anyone know if it’s worth downloading the Queerty app and does it add anything significant to the “Queerty Experience” ? TIA
*Back to topic*
PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID
But who gets custody of the cats and power tools?
Scribe38
@radagastthe3rd: while you are working on them to stop abusing gay people, can you also ask them to stop trying to stop minorities from voting and calling me “intercity thug”? Thanks. Btw #imwithher
DCguy
@Alistair Wiseman:
So you attack one politician but don’t even know who you are voting for? How intellectually dishonest. But let’s cut through your B.S. you defended anti-lgbt bigots, whenever there is ANY article on Trump you try to change the topic and defend Clinton, and now claiming you “don’t know”.
In other words, you’re voting for Trump but know you can’t defend it so are lying. If you don’t support him you wouldn’t be rabidly defending all posts about him.
But nice try. Maybe one of your other screenames can come up with a better answer?
jrh311
@radagastthe3rd: LCR is useless. Maybe you should consider going independent or libertarian. Republicans are clearly psychotic and will never become a welcoming or open-minded party.
Kangol
@Alistair Wiseman: When a truly LGBTQ-inclusive GOP that actively works for gay, bi, and trans equality exists, you let us all know. Now please go back and try to get your party to get its homophobic act(s) together, beginning with the Presidential and extremely anti-gay Vice Presidential candidates!
Alistair Wiseman
@DCguy:
“…whenever there is ANY article on Trump you try to change the topic and defend Clinton….”
What are you talking about? Um, no. You are hilarious.
Lookyloo
@radagastthe3rd:
“We are working on changing that through groups like LCR”
The GOP currently has the most overtly anti-lgbt platform in decades.
Way to go LCR. You’re either fools or liars.