Tenn. Court Rules for Lesbian Mom

The Tennessee court of appeals once again struck down a judge's ruling in part of a child custody agreement that prohibits a lesbian mother and her long-term partner from living together.

According to the Associated Press, "The so-called paramour clause was first imposed in May 2008 by Gibson County Chancellor George Ellis, prohibiting overnight stays by Angel Chandler's partner. The restriction was not requested by Chandler's ex-husband and came despite an evaluation finding no harm to their children."

Chandler and her partner of 10 years moved to North Carolina, where they tried to maintain separate residences to comply with the child custody agreement, but financial circumstances forced them to live together again.

The AP reports that the appeals court struck down Ellis's ruling last year, but he issued a new ruling in March that imposed the paramour clause again. The appeals court said in its Tuesday ruling that there was no evidence to support Ellis's claims that the paramour clause was in the best interests of children.