Rosie and Kelli Spotlight Gay Divorce Issue

News of the split between Rosie O'Donnell and wife Kelli Carpenter may bring same-sex marriage rights to mind, but their plight also creates an opportunity to think about unequal rights and protections concerning same-sex divorce, says a Huffington Post contributor.

Emma Ruby-Sachs, a lawyer, writes that Rosie and Kelli need the law on their side now more than ever.

"It's one thing to say that a loving committed relationship needs the institutional and social support marriage provides, but when two people split after years together, the law really becomes central to their survival," writes Ruby-Sachs.

"Rosie and Kelli are in the midst of a pretty normal problem. It is so normal, entire legal schemes exist to assist with the process of separation. But these legal protections, like so many others, leave LGBT people out," she says.

Get more perspective here.