Michigan: Anti-Gays Challenge Benefits for MSU Workers

Gary Glenn, leader of the American Family Association of Michigan has filed a second lawsuit aiming to strip public Universities from having the ability to offer same-sex domestic partnerships. The suit argues that Michigan State University partner benefits are similar or equal to marriage, thereby violating the anti-gay marriage amendment passed in Michigan in 2004. Much like in Minnesota, and in Wisconsin, the conservative groups in Michigan that pushed for anti-gay marriage amendments said it will not take away domestic partnership benefits for same-sex couples. Here's what Glenn of AFA-MI said iin 2004 before the election:

"But Glenn said concerns about employee health benefits aren't valid because the bill will not affect the private sector, which is governed by federal law. He said the University of Michigan and Wayne State University have already spoken out in support of domestic partnership benefits, therefore nulling the students' argument." [StateNews]

“Under that policy, every single person currently receiving any kind of benefit would continue to do so." [Metro Times Detroit]

"It is our opinion the state can offer benefits to any employee or dependent it wishes to, but it cannot do so on the basis of recognizing a homosexual relationship as equal or similar to marriage." [HRC]

And now his group has filed a second lawsuit end domestic partnerships at a publicly funded school, Michigan State University. He lied, his group lied, and the population of Michigan was duped into hurting same-sex relationships and families.

In Wisconsin, the debate is raging as both sides try and convince voters to vote their way on the anti-gay marriage amendment before the November ballot. And Julaine Appling, whose group is spearheading the amendment is singing the same song as bald faced liar Gary Glenn sang in Michigan in 2004:

"Amendment supporter Julaine Appling [Executive Director of Family Research Institute Wisconsin] said she's certain courts will uphold domestic partner benefits for couples like O'Donnell and Mache. Health insurance alone isn't similar to the dozens and even hundreds of benefits marriage can provide, said Appling, head of the Coalition for Traditional Marriage. 'I think all of that is a smoke screen that people are using to chip away at the amendment's real intent which is we don't want look-alike marriages and we don't want marriage redefined,' said Appling, who sees traditional marriage as a way to better families and a better society." [Wisconsin State Journal]

"Domestic partnership benefits, she said, wouldn’t be touched by the amendment. 'That’s for a private company to determine, or a local unit of government,' she said." [Daily Telegram]

Want to bet if this thing passes, Appling will be filing a lawsuit by December to strip university employees of their partners health care benefits? One way to be sure that our queer cheesehead brothers and sisters don't have to worry about that is to make sure the amendment doesn't pass. Support Fair Wisconsin, and make out neighbors to the east become the first state to vote down an anti-gay amendment.