Article: LEGALLY UNBINDING UNABLE TO FORM CIVIL UNIONS, MANY GAY COUPLES IN VIRGINIA HAVE BUILT UP FILES OF LEGAL DOCUMENTS GRANTING EACH OTHER SURVIVORSHIP, CUSTODY, POWER OF ATTORNEY AND OTHER RIGHTS. BUT A NEW STATE LAW MAY THROW THOSE PAPERS INTO CONFUSION - AND THE STATE INTO A SERIES OF LEGAL FIGHTS.(FRONT)

Byline: Christina Nuckols THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

RICHMOND -- After a long struggle with her employer, Lisa Z. Morgan was allowed to extend her health insurance this year to her lesbian partner, Niely , and their two children.

But a new state law banning civil unions, partnerships and other contracts between same-sex couples could invalidate those insurance benefits when it becomes effective on July 1 - and could make Virginia the most restrictive state in the country for gays who want some of the same legal benefits as heterosexual couples.

"I'm afraid that after having them for only a few months, they'll be jerked away from us and my children will ...

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