The Indianapolis Star released an article this morning on the arduous legal battle being fought by Alisha Brennon and Beth Urschel after their partners died in the Indiana State Fair Tragedy.
The Star reports that one wrongful death lawsuit has been filed and another is in the preliminary phases. Even though Urschel and her partner had registered as reciprocal beneficiaries in Hawaii and Brennon and her partner were in a civil partnership in Illinois, the wrongful death claims may be difficult to prove under existing Indiana law.
How unfortunate that couples that had committed to one another in other states must be forced to fight to prove standing for their relationship during such a time of loss and sadness.
This is just another example of the inequities faced by same-sex couples in Indiana when they lack basic civil rights enjoyed by other couples throughout the state.
In the article, Jennifer A. Drobac, a professor at the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis, put the situation into perspective stating, "I kind of wonder how heterosexual couples would feel if they crossed a state border and they were legal strangers."
Read the full article at the Indianapolis Star
