Australia —
Marriage Matters tells the remarkable story of
a lawyer pursuing the case of a lifetime - with much more
than usual at stake.
Rachael Wallbank found
herself at the forefront of international law reform when
she fought a case for a young Sydney couple, "Kevin" and
"Jennifer" (they can't be identified because of court
restrictions).
What made the lawsuit
unusual is that "Kevin" was a man of transsexual origin.
He started life as a girl but underwent "gender
reassignment" surgery later in life.
Rachael argued the couple
had the right to be legally married.
In October 2001, the
Family Court of Australia agreed <http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/family_ct/2001/1074.html>,
delivering a landmark judgement against the Federal
Attorney General and in favour of "Kevin" and "Jennifer".
The judgement was affirmed again last month when the Full
Court of the Family Court dismissed the Commonwealth's
appeal <http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/family_ct/2003/94.html>.
What many observers would
not have appreciated was the deep personal significance
of the win for Rachael Wallbank <http://www.wallbanks.com/>
herself - because Rachael was once Richard, successful
Sydney lawyer, loving husband and father.
"Marriage Matters" tells
the story of Rachel, her court battle, and the sometimes
difficult path to acceptance she's shared with the
children she fathered as a man.
Read
the program transcript
