Ruling on a question of first impression for Florida, the state’s Supreme Court split 4-3, finding that a lesbian co-parent who had donated an egg that was fertilized in vitro and implanted in her same-sex partner, could seek custody of the resulting child whom she had parented for the first two years of the child’s life before the couple’s relationship ended. The court approved a ruling by the 5th District Court of Appeal that a … <Read More>
Ned Rorem 90th Birthday Celebration at NY Festival of Song
Last night the New York Festival of Song saluted Ned Rorem on his 90th birthday year with a special concert at Merkin Hall. I was delighted to be there for the festivities. NYFOS co-director Steven Blier provided informative notes in the program describing the long relationship between Rorem and NYFOS, which has presented special birthday celebration concerts for him several times over the past few decades. All deserved, of course, as Rorem is one of … <Read More>
Indiana Appeals Court Won’t Let Lesbian Partner Sue for Custody, but Allows Visitation Claim to Continue
A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals of Indiana, pointing out that it was bound by prior state supreme court precedent, rejected a claim by a lesbian co-parent that the trial court erred in not awarding her joint custody of the child she was raising with her former partner. However, the court said that she should be allowed to seek visitation rights, finding that there was no binding precedent against this and it would … <Read More>
Ohio Marriage Challenge Continues Despite Death of Plaintiff
A federal judge in Cincinnati has ruled that a lawsuit seeking to compel the state of Ohio to recognize same-sex marriages of its residents that were performed in other jurisdictions will live on, despite the death of a plaintiff that might otherwise moot the case, and that a gay Cincinnati funeral director may carry on the challenge as a “third-party plaintiff” representing the interests of his future clients. The judge also suggested that his ruling … <Read More>
Barati & Wurtz at Peoples’ Symphony Concerts
This afternoon Peoples’ Symphony Concerts presented a recital by Hungarian-born musicians, Kristof Barati (violinist) and Klara Wurtz (pianist), at New York’s Town Hall. They presented a conservative program that could have been presented more than a century ago without raising an eyebrow: Beethoven’s Sonatas Nos. 4 & 9, Op. 23 and Op. 47 (the “Kreutzer Sonata”), and Brahms’ Sonata No. 1, Op. 78. These are all masterpieces and I have no objection to their presentation, … <Read More>
Nico Muhly’s “Two Boys” at the Metropolitan Opera in New York
This afternoon I attended a performance of Nico Muhly’s opera, “Two Boys,” presented by the Metropolitan Opera in New York. There are a few more performances left in the run. Anybody interested in seeing and hearing a new direction in opera for the 21st century who has not already gotten a ticket should move fast!
I’ve been a fan of Muhly since a profile by Alex Ross in The New Yorker brought him to my … <Read More>
NY Philharmonic: Salonen Violin Concerto with Leila Josefowicz
Tonight I attended the New York Philharmonic and heard the second of five scheduled performances of Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Violin Concerto (2008-09) with soloist Leila Josefowicz. I can only say “Wow”! This is one terrific concerto, and I’m delighted to have heard it performed by the violinist for whom it was written with the composer – also one of the world’s leading conductors – on the podium. In four inventive movements, this piece is full of … <Read More>
“Big Fish” Takes Time to Get Interesting (caution, plot spoilers)
I attended a performance of “Big Fish,” the new musical show with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by John August, last night at the Neil Simon Theatre. The big draw, of course, is to see Norbert Leo Butz doing his thing – big production numbers, dancing, etc. But through the long first act, my impression was that this was a piece of fluff, all about the production numbers, with supporting stars Bobby … <Read More>
Florida Courts Disagree About Whether Sexual Intercourse Can Occur Without a Vagina
Is gay sex “sexual intercourse”? I’m trying to be polite here, so I’ll speak clinically. When a man takes another man’s penis in his mouth, or inserts his penis into another man’s anus, are they having “sexual intercourse”? In Florida — and many other states — this remains a serious question of criminal law, even after Lawrence v. Texas decriminalized consensual gay sex, because Florida has a statute making it a crime for somebody who … <Read More>
Missouri Supreme Court Rejects Benefit Claim from Surviving Partner of Highway Patrolman
Missouri law provides that the surviving spouse of a public employee who is killed in the line of duty be entitled to a death benefit equal to half of the deceased employee’s final average compensation. The statute, adopted in 1969, did not define “spouse,” but was supplemented in 2004 with a definition of “spouse” in accord with the newly-enacted state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
When a Missouri state highway patrolman, Corporal Dennis Engelhard, was … <Read More>