move to a state that permits same-sex marriage when they have built lives in Florida. Vanessa Alenier, who is raising a 5-year-old son with partner Melanie Alenier, said they decided to share the same last name to come as close to marriage as possible but the same-sex ban blocks that final step.
"We want our son to understand that his family is secure and just as respected as any other family," said Vanessa Alenier. "Melanie and I have worked so hard to build and protect our family, but nothing can come close to matching the protections that marriage provides."