First Civil-Union Couple Parting Ways

AP ^ | Dec. 15, 2005 | Uncredited

[Triggerhippie]

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. - A lesbian couple who entered into the nation's first same-sex civil union are splitting up amid allegations of violent behavior. Carolyn Conrad, 35, asked a court in October to end her relationship with Kathleen Peterson, 46.

Conrad also obtained a restraining order Wednesday against her partner, saying Peterson punched a hole in the wall during an argument and threatened to harm a friend.

"All I want to say is that the civil union was a big source of pride for me, and now it's not," Peterson said.

The two had been together for five years when they were legally joined in Brattleboro minutes after Vermont's civil-union law took effect on July 1, 2000. Two years ago, the couple were offering relationship advice on the gay-rights Web site.

By the end of 2004, a total of 7,549 same-sex couples had entered civil unions in Vermont, the first state to offer gay couples nearly all the rights and privileges of marriage. There have been 78 dissolutions.

Bari Shamas, a member of the Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force, said gay relationships are prone to the same difficulties as heterosexual marriages.

"There's no proof that our relationships are any better than heterosexual relationships," Shamas said.

[Triggerhippie]

Well, I guess divorce is better than homo-cide...

[Sthitch]

And I thought that it was a match made in heaven.

[lilylangtree]

Hehehehehe!

[MineralMan]

Two minutes late.

[icwhatudo]

Simpson kid: "Ha-Ha"

[robowombat]

'Conrad also obtained a restraining order Wednesday against her partner, saying Peterson punched a hole in the wall during an argument and threatened to harm a friend.'

Let me guess, Peterson 46 found Conrad 35 with an attractive female several years younger than Conrad. The classic triangle only this time pink or lavender.

[BFM]

Welcome to our (hetero) world.

You wanted it... and now you got it.

[Lindykim]

Trouble in the unnatural world of 'alternative lifestyles"? Who woulda' thought it? (sarcasm)

[Rakkasan1]

[popdonnelly]

Everybody said it wouldn't last.

[N. Theknow]

Lesbians......splitting?

[randog]

Or one of them just couldn't hold out any longer and had to "cross over" for a little satisfaction.

[rlmorel]

bttt picture ping!...:)

[rattrap]

Exactly, If they really understood they'd be happy with the current law.

[darkangel82]

I guess they lost their licker license.

[beyond the sea]

(Punch a) Hole in The Wall Gang ........... ping

[Clint N. Suhks]

There's no proof that our relationships are any better than heterosexual relationships

What Satan has joined together, let no woman separate.

[msnimje]

The older woman's name is Kathleen Peterless?

[TFFKAMM]

As one wit said, "If you thought gay marriage was ugly, wait until you see gay divorce!"

[yankeedame]