Friday, December 26, 2003


Michigan Governor Bans Anti-Gay Bias
LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm has issued an order banning discrimination against gays in state employment, a move critics condemned as a first step toward legalizing gay marriage.

The order issued Tuesday covers the executive branch, which has about 55,000 employees - about 95 percent of all state workers.

"The employment practices of state government should promote public confidence in the fairness and integrity of government and should reflect a commitment to equal employment opportunities," Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said in a news release.

Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan, told the Detroit Free Press the move "is simply the first step in a stepping stone strategy for legalizing homosexual marriage."

The order bans discrimination based on sexual orientation. Michigan is the 10th state to adopt such a gay rights policy, according to the Triangle Foundation, a gay rights advocacy group.

Granholm called for extending civil rights law protection to gays when she ran for governor in 2002. She also called for recognition of civil unions for same-sex couples.

OK Gary, explain to me how banning discrimination in state employment automatically leads to "gay marriage"?

Next thing you know we will want to use the drinking fountains too!