Copyright May 18, 2004 by Ken Bronson. All rights reserved.
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| About the author |
Copyright May 18, 2004 by Ken Bronson. All rights reserved.
|
Contents
| About the author |
Michael did not want to wait for the courts to sort out the legality of his marriage. He wanted a legal relationship so that Jack could monitor his medical care, if needed, and inherit his property, no questions asked. When a mutual friend in law school offered to process a petition for adoption, Michael agreed.
December 1970
Once again, the process was not routine. Michael filed a petition to adopt Jack on December 2, 1970. Even though Michael was an adult, the judge insisted that he obtain consent from his brother, sisters and parents. After family tensions were resolved, the petition was finally approved on August 3, 1971.
There exists "in commonsense a clear distinction between a marital restriction based merely upon race and one based upon the fundamental difference in sex."
The decree also approved a change of name for Jack - to Pat Lyn McConnell. One family name was important to them because they planned to adopt children. "I once asked my mother," Jack said, "why she abandoned her father's name." He never forgot her reply. "It's important for children," she said, "to have one family name." Jack assumed the McConnell name because his parents were both dead and Michael's parents accepted him as one of their own.
The New York Times, on August 25, noted the adoption, especially the memorandum that accompanied the final order. Judge Lindsay G. Arthur had said that "regardless of popular conception, adoption is not limited to children nor is it limited to real or simulated parent/child or older person/younger person relationships."
Time magazine speculated about other outcomes. Perhaps Jack could pay in-state tuition rates since his father, Michael, is a resident of Minnesota. Also, could Michael now file his taxes as Head of Household while Jack is a full-time student?
Jack never paid out-of-state tuition. It was never an issue because he was 27 when he arrived in Minneapolis.
One important item to note in the adoption of Jack by Michael was the date it was approved (August 3) versus the date the story was published (August 25). The critical reader might wonder why the press delayed the story for more than three weeks. The reason is simple.
Dirty tricks are a fact of life, especially in the courthouse. Adoption details are confidential and cannot be made public without permission of the parties. Gwen Jones, reporter for The Minneapolis Star , snitched on Gerald R. Nelson, the Clerk of District Court. She confirmed that it was he who broke the law and supplied reporters with copies of confidential court records. With unlawful copies in hand, reporters asked Judge Arthur to confirm that he had signed the decree. Since he did not leak the court records, he reasoned, he did not break the law. The story ran only when Judge Arthur confirmed that a decree had been signed. For once Michael and Jack created news in an unintended manner, with unintended consequences.
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Full and absolute equality |