Court Of Appeals Voids Michigan Domestic Partner Benefits. I hope that our "let the states decide" Dem presidential candidates take note of what happens when you let voters determine the rights of gay folks at the ballot box.
The state's constitutional marriage amendment, which passed in 2004, has now resulted in benefits being taken away from gay couples.
The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled Friday that the state's constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage prevents public institutions from providing benefits to same-sex partners of employees.
Soon after the amendment was passed in 2004 Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D), acting on the advice of Attorney General Mike Cox (R), terminated domestic partner benefits that had been won by state unions.
Cox also directed University of Michigan and Wayne State University and the city of Kalamazoo to shut down their benefits programs to same-sex couples.
This ruling overturns a county circuit judge's decision that health care benefits are tied to employment, not marriage. The Court of Appeal cited the amendment's language, which disallows marriage for gays and lesbians and civil unions or domestic partnerships.
"The marriage amendment's plain language prohibits public employers from recognizing same-sex unions for any purpose."
This is bullsh*t -- it should really do wonders for state universities in Michigan that hope to attract excellent faculty and staff. Good luck with that.
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=641
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