Grapevine

Publisher:  Lesbian Mothers' Defence Fund, Toronto, Canada
Year Published:  1979  
Pages:  4  
Inactive Serial

Resource Type:  Serial Publication (Periodical)
Cx Number:  CX1021

The Lesbian Mothers' Defence Fund (LMDF), which was founded a year ago, has here produced its first newsletter. The LMDF is aiming to provide "a permanent resource for mothers who are fighting for child custody." Available from the LMDF is legal advice, a legal referral, some financial aid, and support in a personal and sympathetic way.


Abstract:  The Lesbian Mothers' Defence Fund (LMDF), which was founded a year ago, has here produced its first newsletter. The LMDF is aiming to provide "a permanent resource for mothers who are fighting for child custody." Available from the LMDF is legal advice, a legal referral, some financial aid, and support in a personal and sympathetic way.

The newsletter describes situations in which mothers have feared to sue for custody of their children because of threats from the husband. Not knowing their legal rights, mothers have often let the children go without a fight. Some mothers have been able to gain custody of their children after their separation. They have found legal aid and discovered that they do have rights to keep the children. Two cases are described in which mothers have either kept their children or are now seeking to gain permanent custody of them.

The speech of a gay mother given in Toronto outlines a position that demands the basic human right of freedom of expression. The mother wants the freedom to choose her sexual preference and the freedom to raise her children.

There are interviews in this newsletter with gay mothers and the children living with them. Highlighted in these are the adjustments both mother and child must make.

Periodical profile published 1979