Spud
07-11-2002, 10:38 AM
Judge gives gay dad ultimatum
Ruling may set legal precedent in Idaho courts
IDAHO FALLS — A Bonneville County magistrate says a gay father has a choice: stop living with his partner or lose visitation rights with his children.
Magistrate Mark Riddoch´s ruling may set a legal precedent in Idaho. Courts in the state have never ruled on the rights of homosexual parents. One case before the Idaho Supreme Court was settled.
Theron McGriff, a chemist, has asked the high court to examine Riddoch´s decision to award full custody of his two school-age children to his former wife, Shawn McGriff. The court has until Friday to decide whether it will hear the case.
“I will take it as high as I need to take it,” McGriff said. “I can´t live like this without my kids.”
Riddoch ruled that Shawn McGriff be awarded primary legal and physical custody of the children, and Theron McGriff receive visitation rights “providing Father is not residing in the same house with his male partner.”
McGriff, 38, and his partner recently bought a house together. Because of the ruling, McGriff´s partner moved into a mobile home in front of the house.
Shawn McGriff´s attorney said the mother´s biggest concern was how Theron´s homosexuality would affect the children.
Theron McGriff and psychologist Dr. Mark Corgiat “are engaging in fiction if they believe that sleeping with a homosexual partner in Idaho Falls, Idaho, is no different than sleeping with a heterosexual partner,” Marie Tyler said.
Tyler said she is confident that if the Idaho Supreme Court hears the case, it will follow the leads of North Dakota, Ohio and Michigan, where custody has been denied to gay parents because they were said to have chosen a same-sex relationship over their kids´ well-being.
Freaking amazing. Very homogenous LDS community in Idaho Falls (also known as Idiot Flats to the rest of the state).
Ruling may set legal precedent in Idaho courts
IDAHO FALLS — A Bonneville County magistrate says a gay father has a choice: stop living with his partner or lose visitation rights with his children.
Magistrate Mark Riddoch´s ruling may set a legal precedent in Idaho. Courts in the state have never ruled on the rights of homosexual parents. One case before the Idaho Supreme Court was settled.
Theron McGriff, a chemist, has asked the high court to examine Riddoch´s decision to award full custody of his two school-age children to his former wife, Shawn McGriff. The court has until Friday to decide whether it will hear the case.
“I will take it as high as I need to take it,” McGriff said. “I can´t live like this without my kids.”
Riddoch ruled that Shawn McGriff be awarded primary legal and physical custody of the children, and Theron McGriff receive visitation rights “providing Father is not residing in the same house with his male partner.”
McGriff, 38, and his partner recently bought a house together. Because of the ruling, McGriff´s partner moved into a mobile home in front of the house.
Shawn McGriff´s attorney said the mother´s biggest concern was how Theron´s homosexuality would affect the children.
Theron McGriff and psychologist Dr. Mark Corgiat “are engaging in fiction if they believe that sleeping with a homosexual partner in Idaho Falls, Idaho, is no different than sleeping with a heterosexual partner,” Marie Tyler said.
Tyler said she is confident that if the Idaho Supreme Court hears the case, it will follow the leads of North Dakota, Ohio and Michigan, where custody has been denied to gay parents because they were said to have chosen a same-sex relationship over their kids´ well-being.
Freaking amazing. Very homogenous LDS community in Idaho Falls (also known as Idiot Flats to the rest of the state).