The State of Meechigan joined the ranks of gay marriage friendly states yesterday when a Federal Judge struck down the marriage ban. Since there was no request from the state for a stay the ruling went into effect immediately.
My friend Larry Kestenbaum who is the County Clerk of Washtenaw County (Ann Arbor) opened up his office today, Saturday for the express purpose of issuing gay marriage licenses. You go Larry. The state will apparently seek a stay next week which may or may not be granted.
Meechigan, Oh Meechigan
The whole point is that gay people in the other 33 states should not be forced to move to enjoy the rights those in the other 17 enjoy now. It is an unfair situation and hopefully the court will realize this sooner rather than later. Glad you all have full rights in CA but I don't want to live there.
There's very little doubt that we're going to prevail on this issue. But I AM interested in the time frame. The upcoming court decision, whether it be in 2015 or 2016, is hugely relevant to gay Americans who live in the 33 states with state constitutional amendments barring same-sex marriage. A court ruling that leaves the issue to the states could delay marriage rights for many gay Americans for decades. I'm not that patient. We are so tantalizingly close that I'd like to see it happen in my lifetime.
A permanent stay has been issued in Michigan, as in all the previous states with similar rulings. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court's decision in the Utah case means that's likely to be the case in all states in which this happens. The Supreme Court is going to have to decide this issue, probably sooner rather than later. Best guess is this is likely to happen in 2015. Although I would lean toward guessing the Supremes will strike down the state amendments, it is by no means a sure thing. Is Justice Kennedy ready to go that far? Only he knows for sure.
Great first-hand story of how this affects people. Way to GO MEEchigan!! Thanks for sharing.
Larry issued 74 licenses today in an unusual opening of the County Clerk's office on a Saturday. He changed the lives of 148 people, Go Meechigan.