Kentucky; Gay-marriage defeat puts legal arrangements in question

Like many other unmarried couples, Joan Callahan and Jennifer Crossen have signed documents giving each other some of the legal rights that married couples receive automatically.

Crossen has named Callahan as guardian of her son in the event of her death. They have put all of their property in both names, including their Lexington horse farm. And they have signed powers of attorney enabling each to make medical and health-care decisions for the other.

But after last week’s passage of a Kentucky constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages and civil unions, Callahan and Crossen made an appointment with their lawyer to make sure their documents are still valid.

“We're scared to death,” Crossen said. “We need to see if we need anything new in light of the amendment.” (source)