Karen Thompson and Sharon Kowalski—a St. Cloud, Minn., lesbian couple—will mark their 30th anniversary with a Dec. 5 event in the in Atwood Memorial Center's Cascade Room at St. Cloud State University, according to a press release.
Kowalski and Thompson lived as a couple for four years when Kowalski was struck by a drunk driver and sustained a traumatic brain injury. Kowalski's parents then learned of their daughter's relationship with Thompson—and Kowalski's father assumed guardianship of his 27-year-old daughter, despite her requests to be placed in Karen's care. Kowalski's father moved her to a nursing home 200 miles away from Thompson, who was denied visitation rights.
With the support of several LGBT rights, women's rights and disability-rights groups, Thompson began an almost-decade-long legal battle to bring Thompson home, in a groundbreaking situation. In 1993, Kowalski returned home with Thompson.
To read a more detailed account about Kowalski and Thompson, visit windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=15473.
