Michael Kantaras
Encyclopedia
Michael John Kantaras is an American
transman who was involved in a high-profile child custody case with his ex-wife. The case had implications for the legal status of transsexual marriages and the legal definitions of "man" and "woman."
. In the late 1980s, Kantaras underwent hormone treatments and two surgeries at the Rosenberg Clinic in Texas to remove breasts, ovaries, and the uterus, but retained external female genitalia. Kantaras married Linda Forsythe in a civil ceremony on July 18, 1989. Kantaras adopted Forsythe's child from a prior relationship, and Forsythe gave birth to a second child through artificial insemination in 1992.
Kantaras met another woman and filed for divorce in 1998, requesting primary custody of the children. Though he won that case in 2002, it was reversed on appeal in 2004 by the Florida Supreme Court
, upholding Forsythe's claim that the marriage was null and void because her ex-husband was still a woman and same-sex marriage
s are illegal in Florida. The couple settled the case with joint custody in 2005.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
transman who was involved in a high-profile child custody case with his ex-wife. The case had implications for the legal status of transsexual marriages and the legal definitions of "man" and "woman."
Background
Kantaras was born in Youngstown, OhioYoungstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
. In the late 1980s, Kantaras underwent hormone treatments and two surgeries at the Rosenberg Clinic in Texas to remove breasts, ovaries, and the uterus, but retained external female genitalia. Kantaras married Linda Forsythe in a civil ceremony on July 18, 1989. Kantaras adopted Forsythe's child from a prior relationship, and Forsythe gave birth to a second child through artificial insemination in 1992.
Kantaras met another woman and filed for divorce in 1998, requesting primary custody of the children. Though he won that case in 2002, it was reversed on appeal in 2004 by the Florida Supreme Court
Florida Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of Florida is the highest court in the U.S. state of Florida. The Supreme Court consists of seven judges: the Chief Justice and six Justices who are appointed by the Governor to 6-year terms and remain in office if retained in a general election near the end of each...
, upholding Forsythe's claim that the marriage was null and void because her ex-husband was still a woman and same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
s are illegal in Florida. The couple settled the case with joint custody in 2005.
External links
- Transsexual Custody Battle via Court TV