Curve balls? Heck, I don't even play softball!!!

[25yearsmlc]

IS

well, what a week!

Okay first, I read Mullins v Picklesimer, which is a Kentucky case. Is that the case you wanted me to read? It's not in your state nor is it in the same federal circuit so it's NOT controlling law.

But IF the case is cited as relevant (b/c maybe the Penn court says there's insufficient case law in their state and therefore they cite Mullins...or if you somehow get the court there to use Mullins)

then it certainly helps you! The facts are very similar and the appellate courts' reasoning in overturning parts of the trial court's decision, help you too.

Especially in that case since the legal mother was also the bio mom and yet had to share custody with the other "parental figure" in the child's life and how the court viewed what being a "parent" means now. Very helpful to you. The fact scenario is similar, with some roles reversed but those are also more helpful to you...so yeah, If the case gets applied, you will be helped.

as you may know, It's a matter of whether the PA courts have their own caselaw/decisions that make the Mullins case irrelevant, OR not.

If they use the Mullins case (and I assume there's a reason you think it might be??)

then you're in a good position vis a vis S4.

The other thing I wanted to mention was about church...hard to discuss here...
but I know why you felt alienated and how estranged you feel from Church...

I just went to my first PFLAG meeting b/c my elder d asked me to. Long story... She came out sort of, to me about a year ago and then a few months ago made it clear that she's bisexual. Met her special friend and was very surprised. Guess I assumed a Gwyneth Paltrow type, not who I met...

At first I felt (due to what SHE had said over the years) that it was related to her r with my h, plus she was sexually assaulted by a man a few months before...but I also accept that it does not matter WHY she is OR if it's a phase or temporary-all will be revealed in time...

it's real to her now, and maybe it IS how it is. Today is all we have and can know.

Mary, Val, I thought I was more enlightened. Although I have many gay friends, it was not the same when your older d, the "ballerina" one you feel SO close to, tells you this. SO now I'm working on going from denial of it, went through "tolerating" it to acceptance (mostly there). Eventually I hope to be embracing of it.

I mention all this b/c I had some religious faith issues to resolve.

I don't want my d to feel rejected by me OR any church. I cannot control churches...or others for that matter. I can only try to protect and reassure.

I had no idea how much she had felt torn by this struggle of hers,

and my MAIN focus is making sure she knows that I love her no matter what.

I'm embarrassed that I was embarrassed. I worried about what family members AND church members would say. (I'm NOT proud of that.)

So at PFLAG I got a lot of resources and even found a "Catholic & Gay" support group. (THAT has to be new! But it helped me.)

It's helped me feel more comfortable with the questions I anticipate from the bible quoters in my circles, and perhaps more importantly

I feel God's love for my child is at least as strong as mine is, so I know she's in the hands of a loving God.

If I can find the support I needed as a parent and heard more loving acceptance than I had known was there, you can too.

So I hope IS, that you will go back to a church and feel welcome.

But Know where to look.

And Good luck my friend,

((( )))