A Legal Guide for Lesbian & Gay Couples

by Denis Clifford, Emily Doskow, Frederick Hertz

Protect your rights -- protect your relationship! Now more than ever, it's important that you take the proper legal steps to define and protect your relationship in the eyes of the law. If you don't, you run the risk of being shut out of each other's lives -- and the lives of children you co-parent -- in times of medical, financial or personal crisis. This practical, plain-English guide shows lesbian and gay couples how to make practical decisions about living together, obtain domestic partner benefits, make medical decisions for each other when needed, take care of each other's finances when one partner is incapacitated, leave property to each other, have and raise children through adoption, donor insemination, surrogacy or foster parenting. The 14th edition is updated to provide the latest information on same-sex marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships in the U.S., Canada and around the world. It also includes a CD-ROM that helps you create essential legal documents.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, LGBT, Legal, Relationships, Lesbian, Gender

344 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[PJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's not much that can be said about this impressive volume that hasn't already been said by those professionally involved in the comic community, who have a much more important opinion than mine... but I will try.

From those editors and published reviewers - This story and brilliant artwork have been much lauded; and has earned artist JH Williams III the Artist of the Year distinction from Wizard Magazine and an Eisner nomination.

This graphic novel contains the story arc from Detective Comics issues 854-860. Normally the bastion of Batman, during this time, the care and protection of Gotham has been turned over to Kate Kane ... aka Batwoman. ( please, oh, please do not refer to her as Batgirl )

This intricate plot follows multiple, but clear, storylines. We learn of Kate's family, her military service, her origin as Batwoman. We get a glimpse into her personal life and more importantly, we get insight into her character. Kate Kane is a complete and compelling superhero. Her lines are not always clearly drawn and she has a conscience. It's her need, her compulsion, to SERVE that puts Kate into Batwoman's uniform.

The story is wonderful, Greg Rucka is a very talented writer. It is the artwork, however, which I think brings both Kate and Batwoman to life. It is, simply stated, stunning. The page layouts and panels are brilliantly rendered by JH Williams III. His style draws the reader through the story with a kind of cadence and tempo that is really remarkable. You need only to look into his representation of Kate Kane's eyes to see into her soul. That is saying something.

Much has been written regarding Kate Kane / Batwoman's "outing" as gay in the 52 storyline, and her personal life is continued here, of course. What I can honestly say regarding Kate being gay is that Kate being gay is simply one aspect of a very complex character. And rightfully, her being gay is not made to be a big deal, or a spectacle. It just is. And as written here, Greg Rucka has found a way to incorporate Kate's being gay into Batwoman's origin in a very believable and very real way. Kudos for that. ( This story arc is a 2010 GLAAD award winner for Best Comic Book )

As far as the physical aspects of this book go - this book representation of the Elegy storyline is top rate. The paper quality is outstanding and the artwork by JHW3 and color by Dave Stewart really pop off the page.

We're treated to some nice extras - all the variant covers are gathered ( work by Jock, Alex Ross, JG Jones, Adam Hughes ) as are some preliminary sketches of Kate / Batwoman by JHW3. We're also shown an few pages of Greg Rucka's scripts followed by the associated art, which helps show insight into how comics go from idea to realization.

Without a doubt, this is a must have for comic fans.

[Antoinette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first dive into gay/lesbian law and procedure, so I can not make a very educated comparison to other books out there. However, I found this very helpful and informative. I live in KS, so unfortunately every time I would look something up for more information it was not an option for me...but, it has given me a lot of good leads. A great positive of this book is the fact that ALL OF THE FORMS you need to begin the process of becoming one are included in the back of the book, and on an interactive computer program that comes with the book. Final wishes, wills, property, child custody, etc. Also learned some disturbing info. about the struggle for gay marriage. Who knew at one time it was a good idea to adopt your partner? Hmm...disturbing! Sample cases were very helpful. A great place to start, easy to understand, and a great reference.

[Connie]

My partner and I just bought a house together. I don't want to do domestic partnership, but she keeps saying she won't be able to get FMLA when I have surgery and we won't be able to get mortgage insurance in case one of us kicks the bucket. So, I decided to get informed and read this book. There's tons of great information in it. Not done yet, and haven't decided yet what we're going to do...

[Julie]

Helpful for confusing paperwork and details that are really hard to find info on otherwise. Domestic partnership law and its tax consequences still baffle me. ~Perhaps I shouldn't sign things I do not understand. Put it in the lessons learned file.

[laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent. invaluable.

[Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great primer for gay couples who must overcome immense obstacles to providing for one another and establishing what heterosexual couples (both married and not) take for granted!