Benched

After a major marriage-equality victory, Justice Victoria Willoughby and lawyer Genevieve Fornier want time to understand their new relationship away from public argument. A photograph suggesting their intimacy removes that possibility, returning them to a spotlight neither can control. The situation becomes more difficult when Genevieve's parental-rights case reaches the Supreme Court. What began as public speculation now raises professional conflicts that require concrete decisions. One woman will have to step back from the hearing, but working out who and how involves more than procedure. Their relationship must withstand scrutiny while both try to honour the legal responsibilities and commitments to equality that helped bring them together.