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Legal Director Of Lesbian Rights Group Explains Significance Of Parental Rights Ruling

On Tuesday, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled married couples are equal when it comes to parental rights — whether that marriage is between a man and a woman or between two people of the same sex.

The decision means the court affirms the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that states cannot limit marriage to one man and one woman — nor can they limit the definitions of parenthood under marriage to one mother and one father.

Now, any language contained currently in Arizona law that indicates a gender, like “he” or “father,” for example, now must consider that “fathers” can also be “mothers” too.

The ruling clears up some gray areas from that 2015 Supreme Court decision.

And to explain the significance, we’re joined by Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights who argued this case in front of the Arizona Supreme Court.

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Mark Brodie is a co-host of The Show, KJZZ’s locally produced news magazine. Since starting at KJZZ in 2002, Brodie has been a host, reporter and producer, including several years covering the Arizona Legislature, based at the Capitol.