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Loading ...Mich. lawmaker seeks to recognize gay marriage
06.16.2009 3:12pm EDT
A Michigan lawmaker said she wants to change state law to recognize gay marriages.
The proposal announced by State Rep. Pam Byrnes faces an uphill climb. Michigan voters in 2004 passed a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman, effectively banning the legal recognition of same-sex marriage.
But Byrnes launched an effort to repeal that provision at the annual gay rights Michigan Pride event at the state’s Capitol last weekend.The joint resolution by the Democrat from Washtenaw County’s Lyndon Township would have to be approved by two-thirds of the Michigan Legislature before it would be put to voters in the 2010 election.
The proposal would be opposed at every step by many of the same groups that successfully supported the 2004 campaign, including the Catholic Church. The 2004 ballot measure passed by a 59 percent to 41 percent margin.
Byrnes said same-sex couples deserve the same rights as opposite-sex couples in state law.
“No doubt, it will be a fight,” Byrnes said. “But we’re seeing some attitudes change.”
Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan, said he doubts even a simple majority of the Democrat-led House would overturn the 2004 statewide vote.
“But it does make for high drama, as political theater goes, to announce such radical legislation during a homosexual ‘rights’ rally, even though it’ll never see the light of day thereafter,” Glenn said.
“For our children’s sake, Michigan voters remain firmly committed to preserving the institution of marriage between one man and one woman.”
All I can say is the train has left the station. It’s a matter of when it’s going to arrive not if.
Yes Gary Glenn,
“Our children”?? You are not the only one raising kids, silly man!
At least there’s a public official in Michigan with the courage to tackle this. Ohio hasn’t gotten this far.
Those of you from other states may not get why it’s such a battle in the Great Lakes states. All of us saw our legislatures (and typically judiciary) overrun by far rightwing Republicans. It’s a distraction, a gesture to try to wish away the economic collapse we’ve seen. Foreclosed houses in California or Florida are likely to regain value. They’re likely to sell. The people who’ve lost jobs are likely to find something else. Up here, there isn’t anything new, there is only loss, closure and decay. In 1970, Greater Cleveland wages were 120% of national average. Today they’re around 95%.
Pam Byrnes has a courage not often seen in this part of the country. It’s the courage to take the world as it is, not as it was when jobs and money were easier. Running back into the past achieves nothing, and understand that Byrnes is essentially challenging Michiganders to choose between denial of a hard, ugly present, or hope for a better future. Godspeed, Pam Byrnes!
Why do people still give money to the drag-dressing closet cases that run the RCC?
If they lost their funding source, they wouldn’t be focusing on bigotry anymore.
This is unlikely to pass, but every effort is a good thing. It builds support and keeps the issue at the forefront.
Thanks to Ms. Byrnes for being an advocate for equality and civil rights.
I don’t expect the measure to pass, but the haters are on the losing side. They know it, we know it, and pretty soon the law will reflect it.
Every state that passed an amendment against same-sex marriage will lose it. When the true, unashamed bigots are sitting alone in their churches, unable to fathom where everyone went, they will lament that they were unable to ’save the morality of society’. And then they will die alone.
And then, if there is something on the other side of death, they’ll find its a lot less fabulous than they thought it was.
why hasn’t the irs gone after these churches for preaching against gay rights
if we refused to pay our taxes until we get these rights the irs would be after us in no time