ALBANY (AP) \u2014 New York’s top court says a woman whose lesbian partner gave birth following their civil union in Vermont has parental rights, including visitation.<\/p>\n
The Court of Appeals, divided 4-3, is upholding its precedent that biological connection or adoption generally establishes those rights under state law.<\/p>\n
The woman’s partner was artificially inseminated and the couple separated three years later. Her ex-partner began cutting off contact with the child two years after that.<\/p>\n
All seven judges agreed in opinions released Tuesday that she has standing to claim visitation rights in New York based on recognition of other states’ laws.<\/p>\n
In another case, the judges say Family Court has authority to determine whether a female ex-partner is a parent and must pay child support.<\/p>\n