Pam Barrale papers

Collection — Box: 1, Folder: 1

Identifier: 2019-014

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection documents the first same-sex couple adoption in Monroe County, N. Y. It consists of newspaper clippings and court documents from 1993 to 1996.

Dates

Creation: 1993-1996

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Biographical Note

Pam Barrale and her partner, Libby Ford, were the first same-sex couple to carry out a legal adoption in Monroe County, N. Y. At the time of the adoption, Barrale was a stay-at-home mother while Ford supporetd the family through her work as an attorney. Having conceived their children through artificial insemination, with Barrale the birth mother, the couple sought legal adoption by the non-birth parent (Ford) in order to confirm the legal benefits and obligations of parenthood for both partners. They were supported in this goal by their attorney, Gregory Franklin, whose legal brief in favor of the legality of the adoption under New York State law saw favor with Family Court Judge Anthony J. Sciolino. On December 16, 1993, Sciolino granted Ford's adoption of the children, Emile and Caitlin. He granted another adoption by an unnamed lesbian couple the next day. Sciolino took the unusual step of publishing a formal opinion in regards to this case in order to explain his motivations and the legal context for the decision. Barrale and Ford went public with their story in order to disspell misinformation circulating about the adoption; much of the material in this collection comes from the interviews they published in various local newspapers at the time.

Extent

.017 Cubic Feet (One letter-size folder.)

.017 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of newspaper clippings and legal documents pertaining to the first same-sex couple allowed to adopt children in Monroe County, New York. The materials date between 1993 and 1996.

Arrangement

This collection consists of a single folder.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Pam Barrale to the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, 2016. Transferred to the Rochester Public Library on March 18, 2019.

Bibliography

Letter from Pam Barrale to Evelyn Bailey, March 30, 2015. Included in collection. Zeigler, Michael. "Lesbian Partners Adopt in Monroe." Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, December 18, 1993.