Chris Strickland

Hello,

My name is Chris Strickland. I would like to share with you my story. You see, I have been caught in the middle of a nasty divorce. To put a spin on it, there are children involved. Before I get into details, I want to express how much my boys mean to me. These two precious boys are the world to me and without them I am nothing. So, let me begin my story.

I share this not only to gain support but also to help inspire some of you that may be going through the same situation. You see, I am in a same sex marriage and we have two boys together. The oldest is 15 and the baby is 4. We both reside in Mississippi but we were married in Massachusetts in 2009. She and I were in a long- term relationship since 1999. My oldest son was adopted in 2007, but I could not be placed on his paperwork/ birth certificate. In 2010, we, as a married couple, wanted a baby. So, we started the IVF process and it worked the first time. In 2011 we had a baby, and yet again, I could not be on his paperwork/birth certificate. Well, I did not think anything about it because I never thought that we would be in a divorce and a custody battle. Let me also add that we separated in January 2013 and I found out that in August of 2013 (yes the same year), she married the MAN that she left me for. She married him before she divorced me, which makes her in a bigamist relationship with this man; meanwhile, she still has both of our children.

I filed for divorce in August of 2015. This was the quickest I could do so because as you know, Mississippi did not recognize same sex marriage until recently. As soon as Mississippi recognized our marriage and would allow us to file for divorce, I did even though our marriage was legal in 37 states. (Welcome to Mississippi!) Before this, I had visitation with the baby every other week and the oldest child when he wanted to come over.

Now that she has been handed divorce papers, she has refused to allow me visitation with the children. I have paid child support as well as provided all clothes and necessities they need at my house, as well as split school fees, school clothes, school supplies and sports fees/equipment to which I have receipts on everything. I have not seen my boys in 5 months.

LINKS:

http://wjtv.com/2015/12/03/same-sex-court-battle-over-marriage-children/

clarionledger.com: http://on.thec-l.com/1V2VUSo

Sincerely,

Chris Strickland