OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a landmark ruling increasing the rights of noncustodial parents who have been in same-sex relationships.
The decision is intended to recognize same-sex couples who, prior to the U.S. Supreme Court legalization of same-sex marriage, entered into committed relationships, engaged in family planning with the intent to parent jointly and share those responsibilities, the ruling states.
“Public policy dictates that the district court consider the best interests of the child and extend standing to the nonbiological parent to pursue hearings on custody and visitation,” the ruling says.
Brady Henderson, legal director of the ACLU of Oklahoma, represented Ramey.
The opinion tells the district court that a child has a right to both parents, even if those parents are the same sex, Henderson said.
“It is a big deal, and it is particularly a big deal for many gay couples out there who couldn’t get married and yet had children,” Henderson said. “This opinion makes it clear courts can’t penalize those children for having gay parent.”
Ramey said she was pleased with the decision and hopes to pursue joint custody.
“I have never, not one time, not one minute, not one second, ever not considered myself his mom,” she said.