Originally from Journal of American Arbitration (JAA)

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I. INTRODUCTION 

II. BACKGROUND 

A. Urging for the Use of Arbitration as a Forum for

         Separating LGBT Families 

B. Disenchantment with Arbitration as a Forum for

         Child Custody Cases 

III. DISCUSSION OF NEW TRENDS 

A. State Legislation Recognizing LGBT Families 

1.  Second-Parent Adoption of Two Same-Sex Parents 

2.  Marriage-Like Laws Extending Spousal Benefits 

B. State Court Decisions Recognizing LBGT Families 

1.  The Supreme Court of Massachusetts Extends

         Marriage to Same-Sex Couples 

2.  New Jersey Allows Both Lesbian Parents to

         Be on Their Child’s Birth Certificate 

3.  California Recognizes Support Obligations of

         Non-Biological Mothers, Despite Absence of

         Second-Parent Adoption 

4.  Pennsylvania Recognizes Former Lesbian

         Partner’s Visitation Rights 

IV. ANALYSIS 

V. CONCLUSION