Democrats in the Michigan
state House on Monday announced the upcoming introduction of a
legislative package aimed at legalizing same-sex marriage in Michigan.
The
bills — spearheaded by State Reps. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), Rudy
Hobbs (D-Southfield), Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), and Kate Segal (D-Battle
Creek) — are similar to those introduced in the state Senate late last month.
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| Michigan state capitol in Lansing. |
The first piece in the legislative package is a house joint resolution that would amend Michigan’s constitution to allow marriage equality, overturning the the existing ban on same-sex marriage approved by voters in 2004.
The
second bill would amend the foreign marriage act by removing the
prohibition against same-sex marriage allowing marriages solemnized in
other states to be recognized in Michigan, while the third bill amends
Michigan’s marriage laws authorizing who may marry.
The final piece is a resolution calling on the U.S. Congress to repeal DOMA and respect equality for all U.S. citizens.
“It’s
time for Michigan to stop discriminating against the thousands of
couples who want to marry and enjoy the same recognition and benefits
for themselves and their children that come with marriage, and that my
wife, Kathryn, and our kids enjoy,” said Irwin, “the legislation that we
propose today represents the next step in the fight to ensure all
citizens are equal in Michigan.”
“My
colleagues and I believe that Michigan cannot wait any longer to
recognize marriage equality and allow all people the equal rights and
benefits that married couples currently enjoy,” added Singh.
Emily Dievendorf, managing director of Equality Michigan,
and who participated in today’s announcement, said, “The Democratic
leaders who will introduce these marriage equality bills recognize the
importance of Michigan standing on the right side of history in regards
to the rights of our LGBT citizens. Michigan’s voters will no longer
tolerate second-class treatment of LGBT families. Enough is enough, and
Representatives Singh, Hobbs, Irwin, and Segal deserve credit for
helping lead the charge.”
Recent polling finds that a majority of Michigan voters support marriage equality and favor repealing the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.
The Legislature is currently on its summer recess.
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