Out In The Mountains : News - Landmark Georgia and Massachusetts Cases

      The landmark decision might not come till late March 2002.
      The case of Burns vs. Burns was heard before the Georgia State court of Appeals October, 2001. Many arguments, both for and against, were heard during the court session. A brief filed by the three Vermont Legislators, Reps Lippert and Little, and State Sen. McCormack, who were instrumental in bringing about the Civil Union Law in Vermont weighed some balance in the arguments. The case of Burns vs. Burns, heard in October before the Georgia Court of Appeals is simply that, Susan Freer (nee Burns) is a part of a “relationship of the second degree” and therefore meets with the agreement she is a part of regarding visitation rights with her ex-husband regarding their children
      In Massachusetts, seven couples wait patiently for the results of the brief filed last August 2001 that should be resolved some time in January 2002
      Other states are watching the outcome of these cases. Each one of these decisions will affect many people in the respective states courts they represent. Grass roots organizations will certainly pay close attention to the outcomes of these very important court cases
      One of the states watching closely is New Hampshire. The New Hampshire Freedom To Marry Coalition is getting active around the state with meetings, sharing ideas for legal steps, fundraising, and gathering volunteers for the coming struggle of equal rights for the LGBT community. Certainly, the location of New Hampshire between Vermont and Massachusetts, makes this state seem a likely place for a victory in this regard. All three states share a unique place in location, politics, economies, and environments and are affected by each other in many ways
      For more information regarding the Massachusetts case, go to www.glad.org. A complete listing of the case and its participants is available. For more information regarding the Georgia case, go to www.acluga.org or go to www.appeals.courts.state.ga.us. For more information regarding the NH Freedom To Marry Coalition, write to P.O. Box 4064, Concord, NH 03302-4064, (603) 223-0309, or NHFTMC@mediaone.net.