OREGON'S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE
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update
OCTOBER 21. 2011
15
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j a
Sarah Kemp
the willpower to leave.
That story, however, is largely in dispute.
The court discredited much of Kemp’s
testimony, and according to Kemp, Judge
Katherine Tennyson refused to hear much of
her abuse defense. In an unusually reproach
ful written decision, presiding Judge Tenny
son wrote in December of last year that
Kemp was “not believable,” and “willing to
say what it takes to achieve her desired out
come without regard to the truth.”
To that end, the Shineovich side submitted
110 exhibits of evidence to support their claim
of a mutual relationship, including proof of
Shineovich’s participation in the funding of the
inseminations, choosing of the childrens ge
netic profiles and in naming Paul, now 7.
Ultimately, that argument prevailed in so
much as Shineovich was awarded legal parent
status and visitation rights to Agatha and Paul.
n
THE
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Moving on
Looking back on it all, Kemp still seems
confused about her motivations.
Pioneering parent
Shineovich wants to put the fight behind
“I have so many regrets,” she said. But Kemp
her. She met her daughter Agatha, now 4, for has found peace of mind as well. “This family
the first time in February of this year. Unsu has been living on pins and needles and in the
pervised visits began in June. Last month, she center of chaos for years. It’s time for us to be
took both kids camping on Mount Hood.
normal and happy and to move on and to stop
“She called me ‘mom’ right away,” said the fight. W e’re ready to be happy.”
Shineovich. “It’s obvious the kids want me in
Shineovich holds no ill will either, even
their lives. They’re happy.”
after a five-year battle, close to half a million
That happiness comes at a high price. Shi dollars and estrangement from her children.
neovich now makes regular child support
“I know Sarah loves her children and that
payments as a result of the settlement. But she thought her way was best,” said Shine
since there were no laws governing the dis ovich. “But I opened the door if Sarah and
pute at the time, Shineovich’s lawsuit bur Carmy should ever have children. Everyone
dened her with roughly 1400,000 in legal should have the opportunity to know and
love their parents.” *10!
expenses.
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rapid HIV testing for
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Stati
“W h a t’s worth more, being in debt the
rest o f your life or having your kids?” posed
Shineovich. “The laws weren’t there so I had
to carry the legal costs. But there are now
hundreds of non-bio moms who have rights
to their children.”
In September, Shineovich was a special
guest at a lunch honoring pioneering same-
sex parents from around the country at this
year’s National LGBT Bar Association C on
ference. There, she got a sense of how impor
tant her struggle for equality is for others.
“I had tears in my eyes,” she said, recalling
people who thanked her for her sacrifices. “I
met adults who were the children o f alienated
gay parents. They would come up to me and
say they wished these laws existed when they
were little.”
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