INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An attorney for eight married same-sex couples argued that the state of Indiana is discriminating against them by not allowing both women to be listed on their children’s birth certificates.
A federal judge in Indianapolis heard arguments Friday over whether state law wrongly forces the woman who didn’t give birth to go through a costly adoption process to be legally recognized as the child’s parent.
Lawyers for the state maintain the law is fair by allowing parental rights through either a biological relationship or an adoption.
Attorney Karen Celestino-Horseman says the state law is biased against the female couples she represents because both women aren’t recognized as parents like the husband would be in a heterosexual marriage.
Judge Tanya Walton Pratt didn’t say when she would make a decision.