IRS Recognizes Same-Sex Marriage

By: Timothy P. FlynnYesterday, in the wake of the momentous SCOTUS decision in June striking down DOMA as unconstitutional, the all-powerful Internal Revenue Service formally announced recognition of same-sex marriages for all income, gift and estate tax purposes.  While same-sex couples must be legally married, they do not need to reside in a state that recognizes such marriages at the time of the tax filing.In announcing the new IRS ruling, the Department of Treasury stated:Under the ruling, same sex couples will be treated as married for all federal tax purposes, including income and gift and estate taxes. The ruling applies to all federal tax provisions where marriage is a factor, including filing status, claiming personal and dependency...

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Posted in: income tax,IRS,same-sex marriage,SCOTUS

Polyandry and Prejudice in Kenya

I'm not sure why this has become such big news. Two men love the same woman. They want a polyandrous marriage. What's the big deal? From npr.org... Polygamy is fairly common in Kenya but one forthcoming marriage is turning that custom on its head. A Kenyan woman not wanting to choose between the two men she loves, decided she will marry both of them. The men have agreed, and the trio even signed a contract to "set boundaries and keep the peace."This happens every day all over the world.From bbc.co.uk...The agreement sets out a rota for Sylvester Mwendwa and Elijah Kimani to stay in her house and states they will both help raise any children she bears.Mr Mwendwa told the BBC he loved the woman and said the contract would "set boundaries"...

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Posted in: Africa,coming out,freedom to marry,Kenya,love,media,polyandry,polygamy,prejudice

Polyandry and Prejudice in Kenya

I'm not sure why this has become such big news. Two men love the same woman. They want a polyandrous marriage. What's the big deal? From npr.org... Polygamy is fairly common in Kenya but one forthcoming marriage is turning that custom on its head. A Kenyan woman not wanting to choose between the two men she loves, decided she will marry both of them. The men have agreed, and the trio even signed a contract to "set boundaries and keep the peace."This happens every day all over the world.From bbc.co.uk...The agreement sets out a rota for Sylvester Mwendwa and Elijah Kimani to stay in her house and states they will both help raise any children she bears.Mr Mwendwa told the BBC he loved the woman and said the contract would "set boundaries"...

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Posted in: Africa,coming out,freedom to marry,Kenya,love,media,polyandry,polygamy,prejudice

Striving for the Dream Fifty Years Later

Fifty years ago today, one of the most important persons in the history of the US gave one of the best speeches ever made on American soilDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired and motivated. He opened eyes and ears and changed hearts for the better, advancing civil rights in the US.King spoke of people of different colors being able live peaceably side by side, arm in arm, not separated by skin color. There is still progress to be made in that aspect of civil rights, and of course there is still much progress to be made when it comes to sexual orientation, gender identity, and relationship orientation.We need to speed the arrival of the kind of evolved society where people can walk arm in arm "black" and "white," but also male and male, female and female. We need to have the kind of nation...

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Posted in: boundaries,ENDA,lack of equality harms,prejudice,solidarity,US

Striving for the Dream Fifty Years Later

Fifty years ago today, one of the most important persons in the history of the US gave one of the best speeches ever made on American soilDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired and motivated. He opened eyes and ears and changed hearts for the better, advancing civil rights in the US.King spoke of people of different colors being able live peaceably side by side, arm in arm, not separated by skin color. There is still progress to be made in that aspect of civil rights, and of course there is still much progress to be made when it comes to sexual orientation, gender identity, and relationship orientation.We need to speed the arrival of the kind of evolved society where people can walk arm in arm "black" and "white," but also male and male, female and female. We need to have the kind of nation...

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Posted in: boundaries,ENDA,lack of equality harms,prejudice,solidarity,US

Australian Couple Denied Their Freedom to Marry

By my count, this is the twenty-second ongoing relationship I've covered through exclusive interviews in which the lovers are denied the freedom to be open about their love and denied their freedom to marry."Irene" agreed to be interviewed and "Bob" joined in to answer some questions, too.Read the interview below and ask yourself if there is one good reason their rights to love each other the way they want should be denied.*****FULL MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Describe your background.Irene: We are both in our late thirties, Caucasian, and live in Australia. I work as an office administrator and Bob is a mechanic. We both have a tertiary education and come from middle income families with many brothers and sisters, some half, some full and some through...

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Posted in: Australia,brother-sister,consanguineous,GSA,lack of equality harms,love,siblings

Australian Couple Denied Their Freedom to Marry

By my count, this is the twenty-second ongoing relationship I've covered through exclusive interviews in which the lovers are denied the freedom to be open about their love and denied their freedom to marry."Irene" agreed to be interviewed and "Bob" joined in to answer some questions, too.Read the interview below and ask yourself if there is one good reason their rights to love each other the way they want should be denied.*****FULL MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Describe your background.Irene: We are both in our late thirties, Caucasian, and live in Australia. I work as an office administrator and Bob is a mechanic. We both have a tertiary education and come from middle income families with many brothers and sisters, some half, some full and some through...

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Posted in: Australia,brother-sister,consanguineous,GSA,lack of equality harms,love,siblings

SCOTUS and High Court Activism

Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 1953By: Timothy P. FlynnThree years ago, when sworn into the SCOTUS Bar in Washington, D.C., I was lucky enough to get a seat toward the front of the Court's chamber to observe the nine Justices, all still on the court today, up-close and personal. Literally, to the far left on the bench was a diminutive woman; Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Appointed in 1993 under President Clinton, Justice Ginsburg just recently turned 80. When I saw her listen as the High Court's newest opinions were read to the gathered public a few years ago, she was slouched over in her big black leather chair as if asleep.  Later in the session, I realized she was listening closely and taking notes. At 80, Justice Ginsburg is sharp, on her game,...

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Posted in: DOMA,Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg,Roe v Wade,SCOTUS,Voters Rights Act

NOT a Good Reason to Deny Love #9

“They’re abusive.” Interracial, (adult) intergenerational, same-gender, polyamorous, and consanguinamorous relationships are not inherently abusive. It is the abusive relationships in general that are more likely to make news, or come to the attention of therapists or law enforcement. There are many people in "forbidden" relationships that are lasting, happy, healthy relationships.Abusive people are the cause of abuse, not a relationship or marriage. There are many same-age, same-race, heterosexual, monogamous, nonconsanguineous relationships and marriages in which someone is abused. We have several examples showing that outlawing consensual behavior correlates to an increase in problems as people try to avoid law enforcement and other authorities. Marriage equality will most certainly reduce...

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Posted in: marriage equality,myths,prejudice,stigma

NOT a Good Reason to Deny Love #9

“They’re abusive.” Interracial, (adult) intergenerational, same-gender, polyamorous, and consanguinamorous relationships are not inherently abusive. It is the abusive relationships in general that are more likely to make news, or come to the attention of therapists or law enforcement. There are many people in "forbidden" relationships that are lasting, happy, healthy relationships.Abusive people are the cause of abuse, not a relationship or marriage. There are many same-age, same-race, heterosexual, monogamous, nonconsanguineous relationships and marriages in which someone is abused. We have several examples showing that outlawing consensual behavior correlates to an increase in problems as people try to avoid law enforcement and other authorities. Marriage equality will most certainly reduce...

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Posted in: marriage equality,myths,prejudice,stigma

Ignorance Hurts When it Comes to Consanguineous Impregnation

Sometimes, heterosexual consanguineous sex results in pregnancy. (I'm bumping up this entry from June 2011 because it is still relevant.)Any pregnancy, especially first-time pregnancy, even if planned, can be a time of anxiety. But when someone suspects or knows that the their pregnancy is the result of sex with a close relative, the frequently repeated ignorance of the inevitability of the baby being deformed cause them extra concern. This is an addition to the concerns about prejudice against such families and unjust prosecution by law enforcement.As an example, here’s a situation from someone posting at defunct Genetic Sexual Attraction forum…I just found out that I am pregnant with my Half Brothers baby. We have the same Mother. So far we are not aware of any major health issues in the...

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Posted in: allies,brother-sister,consanguineous,GSA,lack of equality harms,love,pregnancy

Ignorance Hurts When it Comes to Consanguineous Impregnation

Sometimes, heterosexual consanguineous sex results in pregnancy. (I'm bumping up this entry from June 2011 because it is still relevant.)Any pregnancy, especially first-time pregnancy, even if planned, can be a time of anxiety. But when someone suspects or knows that the their pregnancy is the result of sex with a close relative, the frequently repeated ignorance of the inevitability of the baby being deformed cause them extra concern. This is an addition to the concerns about prejudice against such families and unjust prosecution by law enforcement.As an example, here’s a situation from someone posting at defunct Genetic Sexual Attraction forum…I just found out that I am pregnant with my Half Brothers baby. We have the same Mother. So far we are not aware of any major health issues in the...

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Posted in: allies,brother-sister,consanguineous,GSA,lack of equality harms,love,pregnancy

Epic Divorce Battle: 17-Years and Counting

Law Professors should know better.  In what has to be one of the longest-running open cases in U.S. history, the divorce proceedings between two law professors continues to rage in Hamilton County, Ohio.The two now-adult children produced from this ill-fated union have never known anything other than their parents locked in an epic divorce battle during which each parent has alternately won, then lost custody.  How utterly embarrassing.The judge currently presiding over the matter recently chastised both parties for their non-exemplary behavior in the latest hearing conducted in the matter last month.  Over the years, several of the family court judge's rulings have been appealed by both parties; this, no doubt, has gobbled-up...

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Posted in: child custody,collaborative divorce,divorce,Law Professor Sharlene Boltz

Dear Prudence is an Ally For Cousins

Thanks to a good Friend of FME, I was alerted to a recent Dear Prudence edition about cousins. We've taken a look at Emily Yoffe's work at slate.com before, but here we are again.This is from the question...Over 20 years ago I had an affair with a married woman who became pregnant with my child. She reconciled with her husband and they raised the boy as their own.By the way, in many places a child born to a married couple is legally the child of both, regardless of how that child was conceived. I have not had any contact with my biological son, at the husband's request. No one in my family knows I have a secret son. Two weeks ago I found out my niece (my sister's daughter) is engaged, and the groom to be is none other than my biological...

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Posted in: allies,cheating,children,consanguineous,cousins,family reaction,GSA,media,prejudice,reunion,stigma

Dear Prudence is an Ally For Cousins

Thanks to a good Friend of FME, I was alerted to a recent Dear Prudence edition about cousins. We've taken a look at Emily Yoffe's work at slate.com before, but here we are again.This is from the question...Over 20 years ago I had an affair with a married woman who became pregnant with my child. She reconciled with her husband and they raised the boy as their own.By the way, in many places a child born to a married couple is legally the child of both, regardless of how that child was conceived. I have not had any contact with my biological son, at the husband's request. No one in my family knows I have a secret son. Two weeks ago I found out my niece (my sister's daughter) is engaged, and the groom to be is none other than my biological...

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Posted in: allies,cheating,children,consanguineous,cousins,family reaction,GSA,media,prejudice,reunion,stigma

Canadian Polyamorists Sought For Survey

From the email inbox...A research project is underway at the University of Quebec in Montreal.This study aims to better understand the diversity of contemporary intimate relationships in Canada and a part of the questionnaire focuses on polyamorous relationships.Contribute to the recognition of diversity in responding to our online survey. It's simple, fast and anonymous!Participate here : www.epris-smitten.caThis study has been approved by the research ethical board of the University of Quebec in Montreal and respects the ethical rules of research.There you go. If you're Canadian, and you are polyamorous, please participate. I am confident that the more research that is done, the sooner things will get better for polyamorists. People need to see that polyamory is here, it always has been,...

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Posted in: academia,Canada,polyamory

Canadian Polyamorists Sought For Survey

From the email inbox...A research project is underway at the University of Quebec in Montreal.This study aims to better understand the diversity of contemporary intimate relationships in Canada and a part of the questionnaire focuses on polyamorous relationships.Contribute to the recognition of diversity in responding to our online survey. It's simple, fast and anonymous!Participate here : www.epris-smitten.caThis study has been approved by the research ethical board of the University of Quebec in Montreal and respects the ethical rules of research.There you go. If you're Canadian, and you are polyamorous, please participate. I am confident that the more research that is done, the sooner things will get better for polyamorists. People need to see that polyamory is here, it always has been,...

Read more »

Posted in: academia,Canada,polyamory

Showtime's Polyamory Returns

Showtime's series Polyamory: Married and Dating is back for season 2, and Rich Juzwiak at gawker.com is happy to see it. The collective capacity of Polyamory's core four to explore the depths of their polyamorous configuration, while remaining committed to each other, is as infinite as a Real Housewife’s ability to find haters, circumstances to be offended by, and meals to spoil. But on Polyamory, the results are largely of joy and self-discovery, not turmoil and drama. Sure, jealousy tiptoes into the bedroom, boundaries are trampled, and certain sexual encounters turn out to be awkward stumbles. But for the most part, these people are having a great time. And why shouldn’t they? They get home from work and there’s a party waiting...

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Posted in: allies,media,polyamory

Showtime's Polyamory Returns

Showtime's series Polyamory: Married and Dating is back for season 2, and Rich Juzwiak at gawker.com is happy to see it. The collective capacity of Polyamory's core four to explore the depths of their polyamorous configuration, while remaining committed to each other, is as infinite as a Real Housewife’s ability to find haters, circumstances to be offended by, and meals to spoil. But on Polyamory, the results are largely of joy and self-discovery, not turmoil and drama. Sure, jealousy tiptoes into the bedroom, boundaries are trampled, and certain sexual encounters turn out to be awkward stumbles. But for the most part, these people are having a great time. And why shouldn’t they? They get home from work and there’s a party waiting...

Read more »

Posted in: allies,media,polyamory

Update on North Carolina Pair

A while back I blogged about a father and daughter wanted by authorities in North Carolina on some vague allegations involving incest.The update from wwaytv3.com is that Robert and Natalie have been arrested. No clarifying information was provided about the case in general.I hope no children were abused. I also hope adults are not facing criminal charges for consensual sex with each other.US Marshalls arrested a Pender County father and his daughter this morning in Hampstead on incest charges, according to the Pender County Sheriff's Office.Robert Lee Earley Jr. is charged with incest, statutory rape and child abuse. He's in jail on a $650,000 bond.Natalie Sheree Earley is also charged with incest. She was released on a $10,000 bond.Stay...

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Posted in: consanguineous,incest,law,North Carolina,prosecution

Update on North Carolina Pair

A while back I blogged about a father and daughter wanted by authorities in North Carolina on some vague allegations involving incest.The update from wwaytv3.com is that Robert and Natalie have been arrested. No clarifying information was provided about the case in general.I hope no children were abused. I also hope adults are not facing criminal charges for consensual sex with each other.US Marshalls arrested a Pender County father and his daughter this morning in Hampstead on incest charges, according to the Pender County Sheriff's Office.Robert Lee Earley Jr. is charged with incest, statutory rape and child abuse. He's in jail on a $650,000 bond.Natalie Sheree Earley is also charged with incest. She was released on a $10,000 bond.Stay...

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Posted in: consanguineous,incest,law,North Carolina,prosecution

From the Past

Look back 125 years to see what someone wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine on consanguineous marriages. You can at least read part of it for fr...

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Posted in: consanguineous,science

They Served in the Military But Aren't Even Free to Marry

By my count, this is the twenty-first ongoing relationship I've covered through exclusive interviews in which the lovers are denied the freedom to be open about their love and denied their freedom to marry.“Edward” and “Elizabeth” are genetic father and daughter, reunited after Elizabeth became an adult. I contacted Elizabeth after she linked to this blog. Since this is a Genetic Sexual Attraction situation that has led to a consanguinamorous relationship, Elizabeth and Edward value their privacy. Thankfully, they opened up to me and were generous enough with their time and privacy to be interviewed.Read the interview below and ask yourself if there is one good reason their rights to love each other the way they want should be denied.*****FULL...

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Posted in: consanguineous,father-daughter,GSA,lack of equality harms,love