LGBT Rights in Michigan - Recognition of Same-sex Relationships

Recognition of Same-sex Relationships

In 2004, voters approved a constitutional amendment, Michigan Proposal 04-2, that banned same-sex marriage and civil unions in the state. It passed with 58.6% of the vote. The Michigan Supreme Court later ruled that public employers in Michigan would not be legally allowed to grant domestic partnership benefits based on the recently passed measure.

A law in effect since December 2011 banned most public employers, though not colleges and universities, from offering health benefits to the domestic partners of their employees. It did not extend to workers whose benefits are established by the Michigan Civil Service Commission. Five same-sex couples challenged the law in Bassett v. Snyder citing the state's refusal to recognize their marriages or refusal to allow them to marry. On June 28, 2013, U.S. District Judge David S. Lawson issued an injunction blocking the state from enforcing its law banning local governments and school districts from offering health benefits to their employees' domestic partners.

In August 2012, U.S. District Court Judge Bernard A. Friedman invited two lesbians who were challenging the state's ban on adoption by same-sex couples to amend their suit to challenge the state's ban on same-sex marriage, "the underlying issue". They did so on September 7. On March 7, 2013, after hearing arguments in the case, DeBoer v. Snyder, Friedman announced that he would delay ruling pending the outcome of two same-sex marriage cases now before the U.S. Supreme Court. On July 1, citing the recent Supreme Court decision in United States v. Windsor, he denied the state officials' motion to dismiss the suit. According to Friedman, the plaintiffs "are entitled to their day in court." Oral arguments are scheduled for October 1.

Read more about this topic:  LGBT Rights In Michigan

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