Lambda Legal Denounces Gay Restriction in Custody Arrangements

ATLANTA, Georgia (Observer Update) - Lambda Legal filed an amicus brief in the Georgia Supreme Court arguing that an antigay restriction in a custody arrangement should not stand.

"The Court should do what it always does in divorce cases with custody issues, which is to focus on the needs of the children -- placing a blanket ban on "exposure" to gay people hardly helps a gay dad maintain his relationship with his children," said Beth Littrell, Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal's Southern Regional Office based in Atlanta. "What the ban does do is perpetuate prejudice and stigma against an entire group of people based solely on their sexual orientation, and that is just plain wrong."

Eric Mongerson is disputing a child custody agreement restriction which prohibits him from "exposing his children to his homosexual partners and friends." Lambda Legal argues that restrictions on custody arrangements should not be determined based on sexual orientation and that no evidence exists that contact with gay acquaintances of their father is harmful.

"This order hinders Mongerson’s ability to maintain his relationship with his children as he is under a court order to treat other gay people as pariahs based solely on their sexual orientation," said Littrell.

The Case is Mongerson v. Mongerson. Beth Littrell, Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal's Southern Regional Office in Atlanta, is lead counsel on the case for Lambda Legal.

(Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.)