Brother and sister fight to wed (Australia)

news.com.au ^ | 2/20/04

[knak]

A WEST Australian couple who are brother and sister by adoption, but unrelated by blood, are battling a federal law that prevents their marrying.

Kevin and Deborah Jefferies have been in love for at least 10 years and want to get married.

But under the Federal Marriage Act 1961, which prevents brothers and sisters marrying, their relationship is taboo.

The couple became siblings on paper when their parents married and Kevin's father adopted Deborah and her sisters.

"There's so many people who can get divorced so easily – we can't even get married to start with," Kevin told Channel 7.

"If you love somebody, you marry them . . . it's more than just a piece of paper."

As children, Kevin and Deborah Jefferies lived in separate homes.

Although Deborah, at 17, refused Kevin's first proposal, fearing it would upset their parents, the couple only formally discovered they were forbidden from marrying one another after Deborah fell pregnant with their first child.

"We went to the Births, Deaths and Marriages to find out what was going on. He (the adviser) said we can have as many children as we want, we just can't marry legally," Deborah, now a mother of three, said.

"Just because we have the same surname it shouldn't mean we can't get married."

The couple said they had written to federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock asking for special consideration.

"We're just trying to do it quietly – just for ourselves," Kevin said.

"If first cousins can get married, why can't Deborah and I?"

[Right_in_Virginia]

How old was she?

[ServesURight]

Jesus, please return to Earth soon.

[EggsAckley]

It's obvious that your mind is securely made up, and I see no point in continuing the discussion, because YOU won't change MY mind.

Have a nice evening.

[mhking]

As "Dueling Banjos" plays in the background...

Just damn.

If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[King Black Robe]

And my dog can be my step-grandpa cuz he's major league infatuated with my mom.

[Joe 6-pack]

I guess we now know why Bill held Chelsea's hand as he did, 'cause they're not related by blood either...

[cinFLA]

What the heck will be next? Marrying your dog?

They are not blood-related. Give them a chance.

[King Black Robe]

Eggs....they grew up in the same house as brother and sister. Nope, no way.

[AgThorn]

Did you agree with Woody marrying his stepdaughter?

One doesn't have to agree with someone's action, to say they are legal or illegal. What Woody did was pretty immoral, immature, stupid and indecent ... but was it unhealthy? (as in marrying your own blood daughter) - No ...

And even Woody's stupid move is far far worse than what these two adopted teenagers are doing.

[cinFLA]

I think it's sick!

Why?

[bicycle thug]

Why is it sick? The prohibition against blood relatives marrying is based on sound scientific facts about the consequences of inbreeding.

They love each other and many people go through life without the blessing of finding that special person. I say give them the marriage license and be done with it.

This is in the tradition of the worse P.C. no tolerance thinking that gets a child who points a finger at another on the playground and says, "Bang!" sent home suspended for bringing up the topic of guns in school.

We are thinking rational beings who can weigh reasons and consequences to determine if something should or shouldn't be allowed. No genetic consequences, they are going to be together as man or wife regardless of the law, and the law in this case is causing harm and not protecting anything.

[EggsAckley]

Wrong, KBR.

"As children, Kevin and Deborah Jefferies lived in separate homes."


Read the article.

[facedown]

You weren't far off.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Wow. Can you spin!

[Howlin]

If they WERE blood-related, then no, they should not marry.

All bets are off now.

[cajun-jack]

If my crock pot had tits and could give head i would divorce the wife and marry it!!!

[mylife]

This is a Very Brady Dilemma.

Wh00p!!

[Cinnamon Girl]

Interesting.

[knak]

Eggs, I wasn't trying to change your mind at all. I'm curious as to how old they were when they became brother/sister. That seems to be the problem with the story. Atleast with me. My brother and I are both adopted from different families, but we were raised together. I would agree there would be an enormous difference IF they were not very young when they became brother/sister. Did that make sense?

I'm sorry. Don't mean to offend anyone but there's just no way I would ever think about marrying my brother.

[Miles Vorkosigan]

But it must have been hard keeping Janet Reno away from her...