How do same-sex relationships affect custody?
When a person has a life partner who has actively co-parented a child, many Courts have ruled that the life partner who did not give birth to the child has a right to spend time with that child. In 2005, Pennsylvania awarded primary physical custody to the non-biological lesbian parent. New Jersey recognized civil unions between same-sex couples in December 2006 and has specific custody provisions. Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire also recognize civil unions. California, Maine and Oregon have approved domestic partnerships. Massachusetts is the only state to recognize same-sex marriage.
