WEST VIRGINIA
In re Marriage of Gorman and Gump
Two West Virginia women who had formalized a civil union in Vermont sought to dissolve the civil union. A West Virginia Family Court judge granted the dissolution.
The judge relied on his equitable powers. He explained that the civil union was not a “marriage” under West Virginia law and thus did not come within the state’s divorce law. But he dissolved the civil union anyhow.
Citation: In re Marriage of Gorman and Gump, No. 02-D-292 (W. Va. Fam. Ct. Dec. 19, 2002) (unpublished).
Other Sources:
- Arthur S. Leonard, The Divorce Precedes the Marriage, Gay City News, Apr. 11, 2003.
- Fred A. Bernstein, The First Lesbian Divorce?, Lesbian/Gay Law Notes, May 2003, at 67.