From the AP:<\/p>\n
A Michigan appeals court ruling that bans public universities and state and local governments from providing health insurance to partners of gay employees has alarmed gay rights advocates nationwide.<\/p>\n
They fear the decision could encourage similar rulings in 17 other states whose bans on gay marriage could be interpreted to prohibit domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples.<\/p>\n
Michigan last week became the first state to rule that public employers cannot offer health benefits if the benefits are based on treating same-sex relationships similar to marriage. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
This is disgusting, scary, and doubtless what some of the supporters of those bans had in mind all along. And, of course, the conservative Christian leadership is eager to demonstrate that they have absolutely no compassion for lesbian and gay families:<\/p>\n
“This is pretty unprecedented,” said Jeffery Montgomery, executive director of the Triangle Foundation, a gay rights group in Michigan. “It just seems like such a needless slam on gay and lesbian families. The health and livelihood of their families is at stake in this ruling.”<\/p>\n
Conservatives, however, are lauding the decision and say the amendment’s wording was clear.<\/p>\n
“Since two-thirds of all the marriage amendments are more similar to Michigan’s language, who’s to say that the Michigan decision won’t be the prevailing precedent in the future?” said Gary Glenn, the president of the American Family Association of Michigan who helped write that state’s measure. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Warren at Daddy, Poppa and Me has a must-read post<\/a> on the subject. Here’s a sample, but go read the whole thing:<\/p>\n
Marriage equality opponents claim they are only putting these anti-gay amendments on the ballot to limit marriage, not to take away rights or change what rights gay and lesbian people already have. And then as soon<\/em> as the amendment passes, the very same groups start law suits to take away already existing rights based on the amendment.<\/p>\n
Classic bait and switch. That’s why these amendments must<\/em> be stopped. They not only limit my family’s rights, they take away any we might already have.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
From the AP: A Michigan appeals court ruling that bans public universities and state and local governments from providing health insurance to partners of gay employees has alarmed gay rights advocates nationwide. They fear the decision could encourage similar rulings … Continue reading