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?"

[knak]

What the heck will be next? Marrying your dog?

[demnomo]

They should come to San Francisco.

[knak]

Don't publish it! They probably will!

[EggsAckley]

Considering that they are NOT blood relatives, I don't see the harm in legitimizing their three children. If they WERE blood-related, then no, they should not marry.

[knak]

I do! I am adopted and so is my brother. I think it's sick!

[Scenic Sounds]

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.

Another Cultural Suicide Ping!

[AgThorn]

What the heck will be next? Marrying your dog?

My first impression as well, from the headline, but since they have no blood ties at all, I don't see it as being all that bad. I mean, what is the real reason for their not being allowed to marry? The are oposite sex, and no real relation except via adoption.

Sorry, can't equate this with the travesty occuring in San Fran and marrying one's dog.

[Bonaparte]

SF will probably come to them. Mayor Newsom is probably boarding a jet right now.

[Argus]

This is a Very Brady Dilemma.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Did you agree with Woody marrying his stepdaughter?

[jigsaw]

....Deborah fell pregnant with their first child.

She fell pregnant!?   I fell sick once...I hope I don't ever fall pregnant.

[Cathryn Crawford]

I love the deep, dark drama of a wooden figure majestically stabbing himself with what appears to be a pole. It's Shakespeare-worthy.

[concerned about politics]

What the heck will be next? Marrying your dog?

Sure. What are you? Some kind of beastaphobe?
You need to become more progressive. Fetish marriage is the "in" thing now.

Actually, if homos can marry, why not brother and sister? It's closer to normal. I'd have thought that would come before homosexuals.
Even polygamists are more normal than homosexuals.
Why not anything? Who's to be the judge?
My guess is the rest of the fetishist are just waiting for the homos to get them their rights. They're letting them pay the legal fees. Once anything can marry, they'll be coming in to wed in droves.

[AgThorn]

To further clarify, I think it should be strongly discouraged .. but making it illegal?

[BossLady]

There was an Aussie who married his TV a few months ago.... :o

[EggsAckley]

I agree....and they were NOT even raised together. They were nearly adults already when they fell in love. The law is obtuse and needs to be defined more clearly.

[Scenic Sounds]

It's known as seppuku, in this case, cultural seppuku!

[EggsAckley]

No, because she was underage, NOT because she was his step-daughter.

[knak]

I only saw where it states that aat 17 her brother first proposed to her. When did they "fall for each other"?

[Cathryn Crawford]

It's known as seppuku, in this case, cultural seppuku!

Another language? I don't think I can handle it!