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A small sampling of what Virginians think about Miller-Jenkins v. Miller-Jenkins custody case

10/29/09-by OutVoice

The custody battle between Lisa Miller and Janet Jenkins had carried on now for several years, there does not appear to be any end in sight for the moment.

On 25 August the ACLU requested that Lisa Miller be jailed for lack of compliance concerning visitation rights for Miller and Jenkins’ daughter Isabella; however, the Virginia courts did not agree with the ACLU. Lisa Miller will not be jailed, but for every day she is not in compliance with the orders of Rutland County Family Court Judge William Cohen she will be fine $100. The recent filings concerning this case are attempting to prevent Virginia officials from enforcing the visitation order issued in Vermont.

Judge Cohen granted visitation rights based upon the civil union of Lisa Miller and Janet Jenkins. Shortly after the visitation order was handed down Lisa Miller fled to Virginia in hopes of avoiding the visitation order. Every case so far has ended with the Virginia courts and even the United States Supreme Court siding with Ms. Jenkins. The current contention is that while Virginia officials must recognize the Vermont orders they cannot enforce them. United States law is quite clear on this subject and the visitation order issued in one state must be adhered to in another.

So many have asked what people here in Virginia feel about the Vermont/Virginia Lesbian custody battle or Miller-Jenkins v. Miller-Jenkins custody case. I decided the best way to find that information was to take a small survey at a couple of local shopping malls. I was surprised that most knew what I was asking about and were happy to add some thoughts.

I took a manual poll of eighty people from two malls on the subject. A basic question of should the Virginia Court uphold the Vermont Court decision? And why or why not?

Breakdown:

55 women polled and agreed to answer anonymously.

25 men polled and agreed to answer anonymously.

Women’s response;

Forty-one women felt that the Virginia court should uphold the Vermont decision to provide what is best for the child.

Three women were undecided.

Eleven women felt that the Virginia Court should withhold custody from the “still active” Lesbian in Vermont.

Men’s response;

Fifteen men felt the Virginia court should not grant custody to the Vermont mother as she is still an active Lesbian.

One man was undecided.

Nine men felt that the Virginia Court should uphold the Vermont Court decision and do what is best for the child.

I realize this is a small sampling. But I thought the outcome on gender and opinion was very interesting.

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