Press Releases

Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Ellis Rubin to File First Federal Lawsuit to Recognize Lesbian Couples' Canadian Marriage

Introduction

The Rev. Phyllis Hunt, a recent graduate of Pacific School of Religion, and her partner Vilia Corvison have filed a state and federal lawsuit in Tampa Bay, Florida to have their Canadian marriage recognized in the U.S. The following press release was issued today, August 11, about the lawsuit. At present, the U.S. does not recognize marriages performed in Canada for same-gender couples, but different-gender marriages performed in Canada and elsewhere are recognized. More material and updates on this case will appear soon—check back often!

Press Release

The following press release is being issued by The Equality Campaign.

TAMPA BAY, FL - Attorney Ellis Rubin will be filing the first Federal lawsuit on behalf of Rev. Phyllis E. Hunt and her spouse, Vilia Corvison, for the recognition of the couples' Canadian marriage, at the Federal Courthouse in Tampa, 801 North Florida Ave. on Wednesday, Aug. 11, at 3:30 PM.

Included as defendants will be US Attorney General, John Ashcroft; Clerk of the Hillsborough Circuit Court; the Regional Social Security Director; the Deputy Internal Revenue Service Commissioner; and the Administrator of Tampa General Hospital.

Rev. Hunt is the pastor of Metropolitan Community Church, in Tampa; her spouse, Vilia Corvison, is of Cuban descent. The couple, who have been together over 11 years married in Toronto, Canada in July.

Robin Tyler, Executive Director of The Equality Campaign will be flying to Tampa to attend the filing and to join attorney Rubin, who has become senior legal counsel for the Equality Campaign, in speaking prior to the couples wedding reception.