help a fellow poly
Please help! Hannah, in Knoxville, TN is at risk of losing custody of her ten-year-old child Rhiannon because Hannah is part of a polyamorous triad.
Background
Rhiannon's father and Hannah have been divorced for 8 years. During that time Hannah has had custody of Rhiannon. Rhiannon's father has visitation rights, but has seldom exercised them and has had little role in Rhiannon's life. For two years, Hannah has
been in a polyamorous triad with Chris and Jean. Hannah and Rhiannon have been living as a family with Chris and Jean and their children. Rhiannon's father was aware of this living situation and has never previously expressed disapproval of it.
However, when the poly family recently proposed to relocate, Rhiannon's father objected and obtained an emergency restraining order. This order not only prohibited the move, barred Hannah from exposing Rhiannon to polyamory in general and Chris and Jean in particular, and prohibited Hannah from having anyone not related to Rhiannon stay in the same house with her overnight.
Current Situation
Hannah and Rhiannon are now living temporarily with Hannah's mother to comply with the restraining order. Rhiannon's father has filed for sole custody of Rhiannon on the grounds that Hannah's triad is detrimental to Rhiannon.
To bring the case to trial is expected to cost about $5000. Unfortunately, the trial judge is known to be very conservative and Hannah may not prevail at the trial. In that case there will be an appeal at additional cost.
How to Help
Please give generously to help us keep Rhiannon and her mother together and set a precedent that living in a non-traditional situation is not a reason to lose custody of one's children. For more information about the case, see www.saveourpolyfamily.org or contact me at Valerie@forevermail.com. Also, if you know a poly-friendly psychologist in Tennessee, we'd love to hear from you.
Sexual Freedom Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc., is a private 501(c)3 foundation. Contributions to SFLDEF are tax deductible as charitable donations to the extent allowed by law. Please send donations to the address below (please include your email address if you want to be kept up to date on this case) or donate online via PayPal at www.sfldef.org.
Background
Rhiannon's father and Hannah have been divorced for 8 years. During that time Hannah has had custody of Rhiannon. Rhiannon's father has visitation rights, but has seldom exercised them and has had little role in Rhiannon's life. For two years, Hannah has
been in a polyamorous triad with Chris and Jean. Hannah and Rhiannon have been living as a family with Chris and Jean and their children. Rhiannon's father was aware of this living situation and has never previously expressed disapproval of it.
However, when the poly family recently proposed to relocate, Rhiannon's father objected and obtained an emergency restraining order. This order not only prohibited the move, barred Hannah from exposing Rhiannon to polyamory in general and Chris and Jean in particular, and prohibited Hannah from having anyone not related to Rhiannon stay in the same house with her overnight.
Current Situation
Hannah and Rhiannon are now living temporarily with Hannah's mother to comply with the restraining order. Rhiannon's father has filed for sole custody of Rhiannon on the grounds that Hannah's triad is detrimental to Rhiannon.
To bring the case to trial is expected to cost about $5000. Unfortunately, the trial judge is known to be very conservative and Hannah may not prevail at the trial. In that case there will be an appeal at additional cost.
How to Help
Please give generously to help us keep Rhiannon and her mother together and set a precedent that living in a non-traditional situation is not a reason to lose custody of one's children. For more information about the case, see www.saveourpolyfamily.org or contact me at Valerie@forevermail.com. Also, if you know a poly-friendly psychologist in Tennessee, we'd love to hear from you.
Sexual Freedom Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc., is a private 501(c)3 foundation. Contributions to SFLDEF are tax deductible as charitable donations to the extent allowed by law. Please send donations to the address below (please include your email address if you want to be kept up to date on this case) or donate online via PayPal at www.sfldef.org.