Gay and Lesbian Rights Book

Preface -

Introduction -

Chapter 1: Gay in the USA -
- Sodomy Laws
- Changing the Laws
- Supporting the Community
- Voting with Your Feet
- Getting Legal Help

Chapter 2: Protection from Discrimination -
- What is Discrimination?
- Federal Protection
- State Law Protections
- Hate Crime Laws
- Discrimination in the Military
- Discrimination by Private Organizations
- Getting Help

Chapter 3: Home Sweet Home -
- Renting
- Notification of Roommate
- Roommate Agreement
- Owning
- Sharing

Chapter 4: Dealing with Finances -
- Considering Joint Ownership
- Joint Bank Accounts
- Joint Investments
- Joint Credit Cards and Debts
- Retirement
- Safe-Deposit Boxes
- Life Insurance
- Taxes
- Powers of Attorney
- Living Trusts

Chapter 5: Health and Medical Issues -
- Health Insurance
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Medicaid
- Sperm Donation
- Blood and Bone Marrow Donations
- Viatical Settlements
- Emergency Contact Cards
- Health Care Directives, Living Wills, and Health Care
- Powers of Attorney
- Hospital Visitation Authorization
- Hospital Visitation Authorization
- Doctor Notification
- Partner Notification Laws
- End of Life Issues

Chapter 6: Benefits, Insurance, and Legal Protections -
- Employment Protection
- Domestic Partner Benefits
- Life Insurance
- Auto Insurance
- Homeowners and Renters Insurance
- Pensions and Retirement Programs
- Immigration
- Domestic Violence
- Public Assistance
- Privacy

Chapter 7: Domestic Partnerships -
- Adult Adoption
- Limited Liability Companies
- California Domestic Partnerships
- California Declaration of Domestic Partnership
- California Notice of Termination of Domestic Partnership
- Maine Domestic Partnerships
- Maine Declaration of Domestic Partnership
- Maine Termination of Domestic Partnership by Mutual Consent
- New Jersey Domestic Partnerships
- Maine Alternative Service of Notification of Termination-Proof of Service
- New Jersey Affidavit of Domestic Partnership
- Hawaii Reciprocal Beneficiary Relationships
- Hawaii Registration of Reciprocal Beneficiary Relationship
- Hawaii Declaration of Termination of Reciprocal Beneficiary Relationship
- District of Columbia Domestic Partnerships
- District of Columbia Domestic Partnership Registration
- District of Columbia Notice of Termination of Domestic Partnership
- Municipal Domestic Partnership Registries
- Commitment Ceremonies
- Domestic Partnership Agreements
- Domestic Partnership Agreement (Employer Version)
- Domestic Partnership Agreement

Chapter 8: Marriage and Civil Unions -
- Massachusetts Marriages
- Vermont Civil Unions
- Application for Vermont License of Civil Union
- Connecticut Civil Unions
- Civil Union Ceremony
- Foreign Countries

Chapter 9: Name and Gender Changes -
- Choosing a Name
- Legal Name Change
- Application for a Social Security Card
- U.S. Passport Amendment/Validation Application
- Name Change by Use
- Transsexual Name Changes
- Gender Change
- Other Transgender Issues

Chapter 10: Estate Planning -
- Intestate Inheritance
- Wills
- Guardianship of Children
- Living Trusts
- Powers of Attorney
- Joint Ownership

Chapter 11: Becoming a Parent -
- Stepparenting
- Consent to Obtain Medical Treatment for Minor Child
- Sample Co-Parenting Plan
- Adoption
- Foster Care Parenting
- Insemination
- Insemination Agreement
- Egg Donation
- Surrogacy
- Egg Nuclear Transfer
- Choosing an Adoption or Reproductive Rights Attorney

Chapter 12: GLBT Parenting -
- Your Child's Sexuality
- Role Models
- Dealing with Discrimination
- Safe Schools
- Summer Camps
- Parenting after a Breakup
- Sample Access Schedule

Chapter 13: GLBT Teens -
- Positive Changes
- Diversity Education
- Harassment Policies
- GLBT School Organizations
- School Activities
- Dealing with Problems
- Juvenile Facilities
- Health
- Suicide

Chapter 14: Ending a Domestic Partnership -
- Ending a Relationship that had no Written Agreement
- Ending a Relationship with a Written Agreement
- Palimony
- Coping with a Breakup

Chapter 15: GLBT Rights in a Traditional Marriage -
- Transgenders and Marriage
- Divorce
- Alimony and Fault
- Custody
- Visitation
- Talking to Your Kids about Being Gay

Glossary -
Appendix A: Frequently Asked Questions -
Appendix B: State Departments of Vital Records -
Appendix C: Resources -
Index -
About the Author