''They were so public in their marriage. We could all see the good intentions that they had. I feel such sadness now - first for the child, and then, for the couple.''
Rabbi Emerita Emily Lipof of Ohabei Shalom Temple in Brookline, who performed a wedding for Joshua Glazer and Eric Hyett. The now-estranged couple's relationship was featured publicly in a series of articles in the Boston Globe. (Boston Globe)
"Pretty much right after we got [our son], there were problems.... I was in love with Eric, I won't deny that. I was probably blinded, though, by certain things.... In retrospect, he needed a lot of help."
Joshua Glazer, 31, who is believed to be part of the first gay child-custody and abduction case. Glazer married Eric Hyett four years ago on the first day of Massachusetts' legal landmark for gay couples. They had a son, Jedidiah Hyett-Glazer, born by a surrogate mother on September 11, 2006. Glazer served as the stay-at-home dad until his husband, Hyett, took the baby boy to Israel after the relationship fell apart. (Boston Globe)
''I don't have emotions toward Josh now. He's not the central figure. It's about my son.... [He] wasn't interested in doing anything for the household or for me.... When I got the [HIV+] diagnosis, it clarified lots of things in my life and how I wanted to live it.... I went to court and took accountability for my actions. I believe it's the right message to send to [my son]. People make mistakes.''
Eric Hyettt, 38, currently serving a 45-day sentence in jail for custody inteference. He took his son, Jedidiah, to Israel at the beginning of August, 2008, after his marriage to Joshua Glazer fell apart. Hyett served as the "bread winner" of the family, and contributing factors leading to divorce appear to include child-rearing issues and the previously-unknown revelation of Hyett's HIV+ status. (http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/09/14/a_very_public_marriage_ends_in_furor/?page=full)
