GO JENNIFER!
Hours after a judge's ruling cleared the way, Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced Tuesday that she would move ahead on a proposal to extend health care benefits to the same-sex partners of state employees.
Earlier Tuesday, Ingham County Judge Joyce Dragunchuk ruled that a 2004 voter-approved amendment to Michigan's Constitution defining marriage does not prohibit state and local governments, universities and schools from providing health care and other benefits to the gay and lesbian partners of employees.
Dragunchuk agreed with a coalition of interest groups, unions, universities and Granholm who argued that benefits provided to same-sex partners of public employees do not constitute recognition of a marriage or a marriagelike relationship.
The ruling was the first judicial interpretation of the amendment since voters approved Proposal 2 -- 59% to 41% -- in November. But it is likely not the last. Both sides in the case -- Attorney General Mike Cox argued against same-sex benefits -- are expected to appeal adverse rulings as far as legally possible.
A dozen public universities in Michigan offer benefits to same-sex couples along with at least that many other agencies, including cities and school districts. The actual number of couples who receive benefits is not available, but advocates estimate that fewer than 1% of employees in most workplaces would apply for the benefits.
Still, the issue has symbolic importance for those on both sides of the issue.
Granholm had suspended an agreement with state employees to add partner benefits after the 2004 election.
Representatives of the coalition and the 21 same-sex couples named in the lawsuit who receive or hope to receive benefits were jubilant Tuesday.
"We're very happy about it," said Kary Moss, executive director of American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, which represented the couples in the lawsuit.
Opponents of benefits for same-sex partners of public employees argue the amendment was intended to restrict recognition of marriage or marriagelike arrangements to opposite-sex couples and that health care benefits provided to a spouse should be barred.
Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan based in Midland, said it would have been surprising if Dragunchuk had not ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. Two gay political actions groups endorsed her for election, he said.
"Judge Dragunchuk was strongly endorsed by homosexual activists," said Glenn, coauthor of the amendment and whose group initiated the amendment campaign.
"Waaaahhh!", says Gary Glenn. Man, I've heard SO much Republican whining today, my ears are ringing.