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June 14, 2013 - Booked Solid by Terri Sclichenmeyer

It Really Does Get Better

Same-Sex Legal Kit for Dummies
by Carrie Stone, JD and John G. Culhane, JD
c.2013, John Wiley & Sons;
$34.99; 366 pages + CD

 

 

You know your rights.

You’ve watched enough TV to know that you have the right to remain silent. You have the Right to Party All Night. You have the right sides of the bed, the sofa, and seating arrangements at the table. 

But kidding aside, what are your legal rights? In Same-Sex Legal Kit for Dummies by Carrie Stone, JD and John G. Culhane, JD, you’ll learn some eye-opening rights…and wrongs. 

Fifty years ago, needing to know your rights as an LGBT individual would’ve largely been a moot point: there were no rights. Today, you have rights but since they seem to change daily, you might need help understanding them.

Take, for instance, marriage. 

Most states, of course, don’t recognize same-sex marriage and won’t honor a marriage performed in another state. The federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) further “cripples” gay and lesbian marriage by “roping off” federally-granted rights that straight married couples enjoy, thus complicating tax returns, government benefits, immigration, and more.  

Expanding the mess created by DOMA, if a state doesn’t recognize your marriage or civil union, you may (or may not) still need a divorce, should you split with your ex-beloved. Other issues boggle the mind: what if you’re bisexual, and you marry a same-sex partner in a right-to-marry state? Could you—without divorce—legally marry an opposite-sex partner in a state that doesn’t recognize your first wedding? 

Once you’ve untangled partnership legalities, it’s natural that you’d want to create a family. There are several ways to bring children into your household, and the authors have advice on protecting the rights of all concerned. You’ll also get tips on dealing with bullying, schools, and nosy neighbors.

Know where to seek help to combat discrimination. Know what to do if you’re refused housing based on your sexual orientation. Learn how to mesh finances, protect joint assets, and buy a house with a partner. Find out how to ensure your rights on medical issues. And, though you hope you never need it, learn the right way to dissolve your “legal LGBT relationship.”

And now you know why you need Same-Sex Legal Kit for Dummies.

Yes, it’s all complicated, but authors Carrie Stone, JD and John G. Culhane, JD attempt to make it just a little less so by giving readers a broad overview of the important issues, starting with marriage. 

Since that’s not the only LGBT issue in the courts, however, Stone and Culhane also cover wills and trusts, health directives, power-of-attorney issues, immigration, and many issues relating to LGBT families and children. Also helpful are a CD that includes forms and sample documents, and a section called “The Part of Tens,” in which you’ll get tips on things that are not necessarily legalities, but are useful nonetheless. 

Overall, this is a handy book, and a good start for those times when something’s amiss, legal-wise. True, it’s not a replacement for an actual lawyer, but if you think having Same-Sex Legal Kit for Dummies would be good to have around, you know you’re right.

Email Terri Schlichenmeyer

‹ June 14, 2013 - CAMP Profile by Fay Jacobs up June 14, 2013 - View Point by Richard Rosendall ›

Past Issues

Issues Index

  • February 8, 2013 - Issue Index
  • March 8, 2013 - Issue Index
  • April 5, 2013 - Issue Index
  • May 3, 2013 - Issue Index
  • May 17, 2013 - Issue Index
  • May 31, 2013 - Issue Index
  • June 14, 2013 - Issue Index
    • June 14, 2013 - Acknowledgments
    • June 14, 2013 - The Way I See It by Steve Elkins
    • June 14, 2013 - In Brief
    • June 14, 2013 - CAMPmatters by Murray Archibald
    • June 14, 2013 - CAMP Out by Fay Jacobs
    • June 14, 2013 - CAMP Stories by Rich Barnett
    • June 14, 2013 - Thinking Out Loud by Abby Dees
    • June 14, 2013 - CAMP Talk by Bill Sievert
    • June 14, 2013 - Before the Beach by Bob Yesbek
    • June 14, 2013 - CAMP Profile by Fay Jacobs
    • June 14, 2013 - Booked Solid by Terri Sclichenmeyer
    • June 14, 2013 - View Point by Richard Rosendall
    • June 14, 2013 - Volunteer Spotlight
    • June 14, 2013 - Volunteer Thank You
    • June 14, 2013 - Amazon Trail by Lee Lynch
    • June 14, 2013 - CAMPshots Gallery Index
    • June 14, 2013 - CAMP Arts by Doug Yetter
    • June 14, 2013 - CAMP Dates
    • June 14, 2013 - Ask the Doctor by Michael J. Hurd, Ph.D.
    • June 14, 2013 - Gray and Gay by John Siegfried
    • June 14, 2013 - Eating Out by Fay Jacobs
    • June 14, 2013 - Buzz Worthy by Deb Griffin
  • June 28, 2013 - Issue Index
  • July 12, 2013 - Issue Index
  • July 26, 2013 - Issue Index
  • August 9, 2013 - Issue Index
  • August 23, 2013 - Issue Index
  • September 13, 2013 - Issue Index
  • October 11, 2013 - Issue Index
  • November 15, 2013 - Issue Index

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