Indiana agrees to recognize terminally ill lesbian's marriage

U.S. District Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen has approved an agreement between the state of Indiana and an Indiana lesbian couple, Veronica Romero and Mayra Yvette Rivera, to have their Illinois marriage recognized in light of Rivera's diagnosis of terminal ovarian cancer.

The couple's lawsuit named Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller; Indiana Health Commissioner William VanNess; and Lake County Clerk Michael A. Brown, who issues marriage licenses.

A joint stipulation was filed Wednesday in which Indiana agreed to recognize the couple's marriage and, in the event of Rivera's death, issue a death certificate listing her as married and recording Romero as the surviving spouse.

The Indiana State Department of Health also agreed to assist local health departments, funeral homes, physicians, coroners and others involved in completion of a death certificate to understand their duties in the couple's case.