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Transexual Child Custody
Case.
.Michael Kantaras, a 42-year-old
transsexual
baker, is fighting for custody
of his two children.
Linda Kantaras, a 33-year-old
substitute teacher,
alleges her husband's custody
claims are invalid
because he's still a woman and
has no rights as
a father.
Pasco County Circuit Court
Judge Gerard O'Brien,
who came out of retirement to
hear the case, has
taken an active role in this
custody battle. As part of
his decision, he must decide
whether Michael Kantaras
is legally a man.
Dr. Robert Dies, the
court-appointed psychologist,
testified that Michael Kantaras
would be the better
parent for the
children.
"I feel that I was blessed
twice," said Irene Kantaras,
mother of Michael Kantaras, of
her son's sexual
reassignment
surgery.
Pastor Rebecca Baker testified
that Linda Kantaras
maintained she'd never had a
sexual relationship with
Michael Kantaras.
Attorney Collin Vause, of
Clearwater, Fla.,
has argued most of Michael Kantaras' case.
Linda Kantaras' lawyer is
Claudia Jane Wheeler.
Once Linda Kantaras' best
friend, Sherry Noodwang
divorced her husband and began
a relationship with
Michael Kantaras in the summer
of 1998. She testified
the couple planned to marry in
the future.
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