In a stunning case of bigotry from Houston Judge Charley E. Prine, Jr., a married gay man has been forbidden from ever leaving his children alone with his husband, reported the Houston Chronicle.
William Flowers married Jim Evans last year in Connecticut. At the time, William’s ex-wife had full custody of the children with William getting regular visitation with them.
After William married Jim, he sought to change the custody agreement. The jury decided that the custody agreement should remain as-is.
While there were no allegations of abuse or endangerment of the children in any way, the Judge added a ruling applicable only to William. The Judge’s ruling prohibits him from ever leaving his children alone with any man who is not related to the children “by blood or adoption.”
The article cites interviews with many practicing law in Houston stating they had never heard of such an injunction in cases not involving abuse or neglect.
When William’s ex-wife’s lawyer was interviewed about it, she claimed it was common and referred the reporter to Teresa Waldrop, a member the of the Family Law sections of the State Bar of Texas and Houston Bar Association – Waldrop admitted to never having seen an injunction such as this and referred the reporter to Austin Family Law Attorney Jennifer Cochran.
Austin family law attorney Jennifer Cochran told the Chronicle the provision is “just not reasonable.”
The fact that William can’t leave the children alone with any man to whom they aren’t related by blood or adoption “strikes at the very heart of the fact that he’s gay … it’s judicial activism, legislating from the bench,” and has nothing to do with protecting the best interests of the children, said Cochran.
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Oh what the fuck?!
hes a twit must be related to bush LOL
That is wrong.
What is wrong with People
What an asshole !
not cool at all -_-
That ruling will never hold up. Not even in texas.
Agreed :3
What an asshole.
What the hell? And I guess they ever get a male teacher their father will have to monitor all their classes too–right? Great judicial system.
I hope that judge gets his just deserts. What goes around…
is that legal
Argh! *furious*
How many women have left their children alone with a step father that abused them? I’m sure there have been plenty! this is so sad! What I hate about the Courts system is that they (judges) presume what a person does or how they live their life with only a few minutes in court.
Is this anything like the Texas 2 step? One step forward and two steps back?
Very sad….bigotry
This is a ridiculous attempt at unlawful judicial activism. This judge should be removed and the frivilous injunction should be thrown out.
Instead of sitting around saying something is horrible, lets do something about it! Im not just talking about this occurence specifically but in general! Guys, we as a community need to wake up and join the good fight. Join an organization dedicated to equality, march, get the word out or something! Theres not enough of us standing up for what we believe in. Im not aiming this at anyone in particular im just saying that im tired of people saying this is horrible and no one doing anything. We as americans have the right to intervene when injustices take place but so often we dont (rwanda genocide). like I said, I’m not talking about this occurence specifically, but in general because the comments I saw from this article and others on this page just got me thinking. You can fight the good fight for us in your city or state. lets band together and make sure injustices can be stopped :)
awful!
That judge is going to hell, plain and simple.
Holy Crap. We will see this one pushed up to the supreme court, mark my word!
The injustice never ceases to have me scratching my head and praying when will other wake up from the disrespectful behavior and lack of respect for a fellow human being.
BIGOT!!!!!!!!
That’s just crazy! What about babysitters or caregivers? Can the children not be left alone with them since they are of no relation? This decision is absurd & clearly bigoted.
That’s crazy! Can the children not be left alone with caregivers or babysitters because they are of no relation? This decision is absurd & clearly bigoted.
Outrageous!!!!
People these days are getting worse and worse!
What else is new under the Texas sun? Not a damned thing. No-one should be surprised at this, appalled yes, surprised? No.
Retarded
“People these days…” ROFL.
Sorry, but questionable judiciary procedure has been going on for ages. Its only now that the media is actually reporting it as news. Don’t get it into your head that this is something new, or you won’t know what you are fighting against. The real difference is that there are now more and more laws protecting people’s rights, more and more watchdog groups keeping an eye on things, and more and more reporters willing to tell us what’s happening.
why? is gay catching now?
I say go to the Supreme Court with this.
@Thomas – *acho!* oh, sorry, i think i gave you my gay. :P idiotic, right?
What goes around…
This really hits home. Me and my gf raise my daughter. Since my ex is not around alot. She has taken the parental role. She is awesome with my daughter. And could not imagine me marry her and someone telling me she can’t be left alone with my daughter. Really sad cuz this only affects the child.
WOW…really, now that’s how u take the law into ur on hands…congrats u ass…judicial activism, smdh it’s a shame we pay the same taxes, work the same hours, endure the same hardships and love just as hard but because we love same sex this is what is dished out to our ppl….black/white/green or purple, gay,str8or whatever we all deserve the same common respect! And Kudos @Brianna well said
Thats bullshit
And we’re all supposed to believe that judges are fair and non-biased?
wheres the dislike button???
What the hell? I thought Houston was cool. Our mayor is a frikkin’ lesbian. Damn. I just became completely ashamed of my city.
What else would you expect of a Perry Bush etc state.
A state where to create a new KKK chapter, 3 men dragged a poor black man with their cracker truck till his head was ripped off
About the only thing Bush ever did right was signing the paperwork that let the state spend a couple $$ wamring up 2 of the 3 in the “chair” (the other turned states evidence.
Guess this judge tho was appointed by bush.
Maybe we ought to build a wall and give texas to the mexian cartel.
I don’t think without any proof that this man is a danger to the child(ren) that he can legally order any such thing. This is a case of personal feelings on the judges part coming into play with a legal hearing. Which, would be illegal. I wonder what he’d have to say in a news interview about that.
EVERYONE, THE FOLLOWING PAGE LINKS TO THAT BIGOT JUDGE’S FACEBOOK PAGE:
http://www.dallasvoice.com/houston-judge-bars-gay-mans-children-husband-1086746.html
SEND HIM A MESSAGE!
HERE’S A DIRECT LINK TO HIS FACEBOOK PAGE:
http://www.facebook.com/people/Charley-Prine/1330516047
TELL HIM THAT THIS DISGUSTING BIGOTRY IS UNACCEPTABLE!
Don’t waste anytime. Appeal this smelly decusion to a higher court!
his ties to orgs….should we be surprised?
Current and Former Capitol Hill Staffers Friends of Texas Houston Northwest Bar Association Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Republican National Committee Republican National Committee Alumni Employees Republican National Lawyers Association State
It would be great if those covering the story would inquire to interview this judge.
Please sign the petition on change.org to help Jim Evans and William Flowers : http://www.change.org/petitions/httpwwwlinkedincompubcharley-prine735442-give-jim-evans-his-right-back-to-be-a-stepfather-to-his-partners-children