DETROIT — In a historic ruling that provided a huge morale boost to the gay-rights movement, a federal judge Friday struck down Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage, making it the 18th state in the nation to allow gays and lesbians to join in matrimony just like their heterosexual counterparts.
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette immediately filed an emergency request for stay of Friedman's ruling.
"In 2004 the citizens of Michigan recognized that diversity in parenting is best for kids and families because moms and dads are not interchangeable," Schuette said. "Michigan voters enshrined that decision in our state constitution, and their will should stand and be respected."
Michigan long has argued that a single judge should not drown out the will of 2.7 million voters, 60%, who in 2004 decided that marriage is only to be between a man and a woman. The state also argued that it has a "legitimate" interest in preserving the traditional family structure because it claims children thrive best when married moms and dads raise them.
U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman sided with the plaintiffs, two Hazel Park, Mich., nurses who argued that the state has no rational basis for denying a lesbian couple the right to get married and adopt each others' children. The women, who have been partners for eight years, claimed the same-sex marriage ban violated their rights under the U.S. Constitution.
Mark Regnerus whose "expert" report on child rearing that the opposition always used against us was shot down in court and today he was exposed and dragged to death in the judge's closing statement love it
Now Wisconsin's forever alone until next week when it's their turn cue that Queen song
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