"IN THE LIFE" - 'A Civil War'

The following is a story that was featured on WTVS Detroit, ch 56 on "IN THE LIFE":


Dear Viewers:

You may recall that IN THE LIFE profiled Janet Jenkins and Lisa Miller, two women joined in a civil union in Vermont who, thereafter, had a child. After the women ended their relationship, Miller moved to Virginia with their daughter, and asked a Vermont court to dissolve the couple's civil union and determine custody of the child. When the Vermont court ordered visitation for Jenkins, Miller filed a new lawsuit in a Virginia court, using that state's anti-gay marriage law to have herself declared the child's sole legal parent.

The story, “A Civil War”, first aired in last Season’s Family Ties episode, is about a family that’s been torn apart by two mothers and two states battling over the future of one little girl. It’s a personal story that turned into a legal case with broad political and social implications for the entire LGBT community.


Today, the Virginia Supreme Court affirmed a prior ruling by the Virginia Court of Appeals that said that the state must honor the Vermont Supreme Court's order of visitation between Janet Jenkins and her daughter

‘”I'm relieved that this tug of war with my daughter is over," said Janet Jenkins. "This has been a very long four years. My daughter and I need some time to be together—she needs her other mom."’

If you haven't seen “A Civil War” and would like to learn more about what lead up to today's momentous decision, I encourage you to visit our website where you can download the segment.
It's both gratifying and exciting to know that IN THE LIFE is able to bring important stories like Janet's to our viewers.

Thanks for watching,

Michelle Kristel
Executive Director