WOODTV.com & WOOD TV8 - Same sex marriage debate in Grand Rapids
(Grand Rapids, February 20, 2004, 5:30 p.m.) The battle over same sex marriage has come to Grand Rapids. More than a dozen gay and lesbian couples lined up outside the Kent County Building Friday to apply for marriage licenses. But unlike their counterparts in San Francisco, they won't be tying the knot.

The answer seems simple because it's against the law. But that didn't stop about 40 people from filling out the application form. They are doing it because they want to make a point, and they say they deserve the same rights as anyone else. But to the people who matter most, it might not make a difference.

Gays and lesbians want to change the law so they can marry. Most lawmakers, including State Representative Bill Van Regenmorter, want to change the constitution to make sure they can't.

That is why same sex couples say it's important to go public and round up support for their cause.

Most Michigan Representatives are co-sponsoring this constitutional amendment. Almost half of the Senate does too. It takes two-thirds of each House and a majority of the public to take effect. The public could vote in November.

Jennifer, where are you? Speak to this issue please!

(Sidenote: The writing on TV 8's website is horrible. Three sentences that start with the word "But"? Fragments that don't make any sense? Can't we do any better than this?)