Michigan Democrats introduce bill to repeal state's gay marriage ban
Sat. March 21, 2015 11:49 AM by Carlos Santoscoy
Lansing, MI -
Michigan Democrats have introduced a bill that seeks to repeal the state's ban on gay marriage.
State Senators Curtis Hertel Jr. of East Lansing and Rebekah Warren of Ann Arbor are behind a bill package which aims to legalize nuptials for gay couples in Michigan.
The bills, introduced Thursday, would repeal the state's 2004 voter-approved constitutional amendment limiting marriage to heterosexual couples and recognize the out-of-state marriages of gay couples. They would also allow married gay couples to file state taxes jointly.
The bills are not expected to clear the Republican-led Legislature.
A federal judge last year declared invalid the state's ban, but an appeals court overturned his decision. Plaintiffs appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court, which will hear the case on April 28, with a decision expected in June.
More than 300 gay couples tied the knot in Michigan during the brief window in which in it was legal there.
State Senators Curtis Hertel Jr. of East Lansing and Rebekah Warren of Ann Arbor are behind a bill package which aims to legalize nuptials for gay couples in Michigan.
The bills, introduced Thursday, would repeal the state's 2004 voter-approved constitutional amendment limiting marriage to heterosexual couples and recognize the out-of-state marriages of gay couples. They would also allow married gay couples to file state taxes jointly.
The bills are not expected to clear the Republican-led Legislature.
A federal judge last year declared invalid the state's ban, but an appeals court overturned his decision. Plaintiffs appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court, which will hear the case on April 28, with a decision expected in June.
More than 300 gay couples tied the knot in Michigan during the brief window in which in it was legal there.
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine