Full Description

“This clearly written, comprehensive, accessible guide belongs in the library of all gays and lesbians who are thinking of partnering or who are already partnered.... Learn about domestic arguments, managing joint income and protecting yourself and your significant other financially…buy and read this book.”
—Martin Kantor, MD, author of My Guy and Together Forever

Legal rights for the GLBT community are expanding every year. Cities and states all over the country are passing new legislation that makes it easier than ever before to protect yourself and your relationships. Gay & Lesbian Rights details how you can take advantage of the latest legal advances.

--A brand-new section answers all your questions about the eight states that legally recognize same-sex partnerships.

--A convenient appendix features useful resources such as websites, organizations and hotlines for information and support—including support for GLBT teens.

--Tip boxes highlight how to find the information you need to live your life the way you want.

Gay & Lesbian Rights explains how to stand up for your rights, use the law to your advantage and get the results you need—even in not-so-GLBT-friendly environments.

Use Gay & Lesbian Rights to learn how to:
--formalize your relationship through a civil union or marriage
--register a domestic partnership
--defend yourself against discrimination
--encourage equality in the workplace
--combine finances and households
--obtain health insurance for your family
--adopt or conceive a child
--ensure a safe school environment for your children
--provide for your family with estate planning tools
--end a domestic partnership
--make a difference in your community

Table of Contents

Preface -

Introduction -

Chapter 1: Gay in the USA -
- Sodomy Laws
- Changing the Laws
- Supporting the Community
- Voting with Your Feet
- Getting Legal Help

Chapter 2: Protection from Discrimination -
- What is Discrimination?
- Federal Protection
- State Law Protections
- Hate Crime Laws
- Discrimination in the Military
- Discrimination by Private Organizations
- Getting Help

Chapter 3: Home Sweet Home -
- Renting
- Notification of Roommate
- Roommate Agreement
- Owning
- Sharing

Chapter 4: Dealing with Finances -
- Considering Joint Ownership
- Joint Bank Accounts
- Joint Investments
- Joint Credit Cards and Debts
- Retirement
- Safe-Deposit Boxes
- Life Insurance
- Taxes
- Powers of Attorney
- Living Trusts

Chapter 5: Health and Medical Issues -
- Health Insurance
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Medicaid
- Sperm Donation
- Blood and Bone Marrow Donations
- Viatical Settlements
- Emergency Contact Cards
- Health Care Directives, Living Wills, and Health Care
- Powers of Attorney
- Hospital Visitation Authorization
- Hospital Visitation Authorization
- Doctor Notification
- Partner Notification Laws
- End of Life Issues

Chapter 6: Benefits, Insurance, and Legal Protections -
- Employment Protection
- Domestic Partner Benefits
- Life Insurance
- Auto Insurance
- Homeowners and Renters Insurance
- Pensions and Retirement Programs
- Immigration
- Domestic Violence
- Public Assistance
- Privacy

Chapter 7: Domestic Partnerships -
- Adult Adoption
- Limited Liability Companies
- California Domestic Partnerships
- California Declaration of Domestic Partnership
- California Notice of Termination of Domestic Partnership
- Maine Domestic Partnerships
- Maine Declaration of Domestic Partnership
- Maine Termination of Domestic Partnership by Mutual Consent
- New Jersey Domestic Partnerships
- Maine Alternative Service of Notification of Termination—Proof of Service
- New Jersey Affidavit of Domestic Partnership
- Hawaii Reciprocal Beneficiary Relationships
- Hawaii Registration of Reciprocal Beneficiary Relationship
- Hawaii Declaration of Termination of Reciprocal Beneficiary Relationship
- District of Columbia Domestic Partnerships
- District of Columbia Domestic Partnership Registration
- District of Columbia Notice of Termination of Domestic Partnership
- Municipal Domestic Partnership Registries
- Commitment Ceremonies
- Domestic Partnership Agreements
- Domestic Partnership Agreement (Employer Version)
- Domestic Partnership Agreement

Chapter 8: Marriage and Civil Unions -
- Massachusetts Marriages
- Vermont Civil Unions
- Application for Vermont License of Civil Union
- Connecticut Civil Unions
- Civil Union Ceremony
- Foreign Countries

Chapter 9: Name and Gender Changes -
- Choosing a Name
- Legal Name Change
- Application for a Social Security Card
- U.S. Passport Amendment/Validation Application
- Name Change by Use
- Transsexual Name Changes
- Gender Change
- Other Transgender Issues

Chapter 10: Estate Planning -
- Intestate Inheritance
- Wills
- Guardianship of Children
- Living Trusts
- Powers of Attorney
- Joint Ownership

Chapter 11: Becoming a Parent -
- Stepparenting
- Consent to Obtain Medical Treatment for Minor Child
- Sample Co-Parenting Plan
- Adoption
- Foster Care Parenting
- Insemination
- Insemination Agreement
- Egg Donation
- Surrogacy
- Egg Nuclear Transfer
- Choosing an Adoption or Reproductive Rights Attorney

Chapter 12: GLBT Parenting -
- Your Child’s Sexuality
- Role Models
- Dealing with Discrimination
- Safe Schools
- Summer Camps
- Parenting after a Breakup
- Sample Access Schedule

Chapter 13: GLBT Teens -
- Positive Changes
- Diversity Education
- Harassment Policies
- GLBT School Organizations
- School Activities
- Dealing with Problems
- Juvenile Facilities
- Health
- Suicide

Chapter 14: Ending a Domestic Partnership -
- Ending a Relationship that had no Written Agreement
- Ending a Relationship with a Written Agreement
- Palimony
- Coping with a Breakup

Chapter 15: GLBT Rights in a Traditional Marriage -
- Transgenders and Marriage
- Divorce
- Alimony and Fault
- Custody
- Visitation
- Talking to Your Kids about Being Gay

Glossary -
Appendix A: Frequently Asked Questions -
Appendix B: State Departments of Vital Records -
Appendix C: Resources -
Index -
About the Author

Excerpt

Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews: