From disc@vector.casti.com  Sat Sep 17 07:31:56 1994
Date: Sat, 17 Sep 1994 07:26:47 -0500 (GMT-0500)

Judge Nixes Lesbian Mom's Bid
Date: Thu, 15 Sep 94 21:20:07 PDT

        RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- A lesbian who regained custody of her
3-year-old son after being declared an unfit mother cannot take the
boy back while the decision is being appealed, the state Supreme
Court ruled Thursday.
        Sharon Bottoms has been battling her mother over the right to
raise her son, Tyler.
        The court also refused to expedite the case. Attorneys for Ms.
Bottoms had made the requests, citing recurring problems between
her and her mother over visitation rights.
        Circuit Court Judge Buford Parsons Jr. awarded custody to Kay
Bottoms after ruling that her daughter was an unfit mother because
she and her live-in lover violated the state's ``crimes against
nature'' law.
        The Virginia Court of Appeals overturned the decision in June
and awarded custody to Sharon Bottoms.
        Ms. Bottoms' mother then appealed the ruling to the state
Supreme Court.
        Sharon Bottoms currently has custody of her son from 10 a.m. on
Mondays to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays.