Kathleen C. v. Lisa W.

*526 Opinion

In this guardianship proceeding, Kathleen C. (appellant), seeks visitation rights with the children of respondent Lisa W. She contends that she is entitled to visitation rights despite the objections of respondent, the children’s biological mother, because she is the lesbian de facto parent of the children. We conclude that this issue is more appropriately addressed to the Legislature and that appellant is not entitled to any relief here.

Factual Background

In 1984, the parties became involved in a lesbian relationship and began living together in February 1985. Respondent’s daughter, K.G.W., then almost three years old, lived with them. In 1986, the parties decided to have another child, and respondent became pregnant by artificial insemination. Z.C.W. was bom in 1987 and the parties gave the child appellant’s surname as a middle name. Appellant was regularly involved in the parenting and support of both children until the parties separated in 1990.

The parties thereafter agreed to a visitation agreement under which appellant had the children on alternate weekends. Appellant regularly visited with the children until November 1994 when respondent terminated the…