After being "blindsided," Tammy Lynn Michaels is back on the offensive.
Less than a week after Melissa Etheridge filed to dissolve their partnership, Michaels has counterfiled and is asking for sole custody of their 3-year-old twins, daughter Johnnie Rose and son Miller, plus the spousal support that Etheridge appears unwilling to give her.
Both women, who swapped vows in 2003, cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split. Etheridge, however, wants joint custody of the twins, per her petition filed in L.A. Superior Court.
The singer also has two children with ex-partner Julie Cypher (and David Crosby).
Michaels gave birth to the twins in 2006 and Etheridge adopted them. California law, post Prop 8, gives them domestic partnership rights, if not full spousal privileges awarded to heterosexual couples.
"I don't know why they say there's no gay marriage," she said. "I have two ex-wives."
They announced their separation after nine years together in April.
"I don't know why they say there's no gay marriage," Etheridge joked on Oprah. "I have two ex-wives."
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This is one of longer-lasting unions to end up in our Big Celebrity Splits gallery.