homosexuals. A home where no definition of normality could be found.”
Hamilton took another sip of water, then continued, “When Charlotte Maycomb died in the springof this year, she left a will that specified that custody of Mimi should be awarded to Lily Fox, herhomosexual lover. My clients, Mr. and Mrs. Maycomb, are suing Lily McGilly, née Fox, for the custodyof their granddaughter, Mimi Maycomb. They regret that their daughter strayed from their teachings andbelieve that by raising Mimi in a loving, Christian home, both they and Mimi can have a second chance.”
He glanced at the table where Lily, Buzz, and Ben sat. “According to Georgia state law, the courtmay terminate custody if the child is deprived and if the deprivation the child suffers will likely result inphysical, mental, moral, or emotional harm. Mimi Maycomb is not a physically deprived child. I have nodoubt that, as Mr. Dobson will tell you, her basic physical needs are provided for. But what of her moralneeds? What of the need to be raised in a morally fit home in which her guardians serve as good modelsfor her future behavior? Just as a child deprived of food lacks proper physical nourishment, MimiMaycomb lacks proper moral nourishment. She hungers for the court to do the right thing—to put her in ahome where she herself can grow up to do the right thing and to be a decent, normal young lady.
“You’ll hear a lot of things from the respondent today. Mr. Dobson is going to tell you that bymarrying Mr. Benny Jack McGilly, Lily Fox showed a desire to raise Miss Maycomb’s child in a normal,two-parent heterosexual home. He may also tell you that Mimi Maycomb is the biological child ofCharlotte Maycomb and Benny Jack McGilly— a claim for which no medical proof has been offered.
Through the testimony of Charlotte’s family and through the use of a piece of videotaped evidence, Iintend to show that whether they are married or not, Lily McGilly and her husband of convenience cannotprovide a morally fit home for Charlotte Maycomb’s daughter. The only home they can provide is onethat lacks moral fiber and will ultimately harm young Mimi.
“If the value of a child is beyond that of gold and diamonds, we would be selling Mimi short byplacing her in an environment that values sodomy over Sunday school. The future of a child is in yourcapable hands, Your Honor, and I pray that you make the right decision.”
Lily’s mind reeled. What was this “videotaped evidence” Hamilton had mentioned? Was it one ofthose loony antigay documentaries produced by the Christian right? Or—Lily shuddered—hadn’t she and