“Many Michigan residents have religious convictions whose principles govern the conduct of their daily lives and inform their own viewpoints about marriage. Nonetheless, these views cannot strip other citizens of the guarantees of equal protection under the law.”For background, read Michigan Lesbians Sue, Claiming Homosexual "Marriage" Guaranteed by U.S. Constitution and their Sexperts Argue Parents are Unnecessary
-- U.S. District Judge Bernard A. Friedman
In addition, read how activist judges across America are forbidding voters the right to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
UPDATE 3/31/14: President Obama's Dept. of Justice OKs Illegal 'Gay Marriages,' Harms Kids
-- From "Michigan begins same-sex marriage ceremonies" by Robert Barnes, Washington Post 3/22/14
U.S. District Judge Bernard A. Friedman dismissed the state’s contention, after a two-week trial, that Michigan voters adopted the ban on the premise that heterosexual married couples provided the optimal environment for raising children.
There is no proof that such a premise is true, Friedman wrote, and he declared the testimony of the state’s main witness “entirely unbelievable and not worthy of serious consideration.”
His decision was issued late Friday afternoon as clerk’s offices were closing. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette (R) immediately appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit and asked for a stay.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "First gay couple married in Michigan" by Natalie DiBlasio, USA TODAY 3/22/14
With no stay in place, Washtenaw County Clerk Lawrence Kestenbaum said his office will issue 60 licenses on Saturday.
Muskegon County Clerk Nancy Waters said she's been prepared to issue licenses since last October but was waiting for an official decision from U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman.
Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown announced via Twitter her office will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Judge strikes down Michigan ban on gay marriage; state asks for a stay" by Tresa Baldas, Elisha Anderson and Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press Writers 3/22/14
In his 31-page ruling, Friedman heavily criticized the state’s position that the will of the voters should have been upheld, noting that just because voters approve something doesn’t make it right, especially when it violates the Constitution.
“It is the court’s fervent hope that these [lesbians'] children will grow up to ‘understand the integrity and closeness of their own family and its concord with other families in their community and in their daily lives.’
[Friedman continued,] “Today’s decision is a step in that direction, and affirms the enduring principle that regardless of whoever finds favor in the eyes of the most recent majority, the guarantee of equal protection must prevail.”
The state has long argued that the will of the voters should not be drowned out by a single judge. The state also argues that it has a “legitimate” interest in preserving the traditional family structure because — it claims — children thrive best when raised by married moms and dads.
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From "Michigan's first gay marriage performed in Ingham County; couples line up in Oakland" by Paul Egan and Eric Lawrence, Detroit Free Press Staff Writers 3/22/14
In at least four Michigan counties, Oakland, Igham, Washtenaw and Muskegon, clerks began issuing marriage licenses today to same-sex couples . . .
The line at the Oakland County Clerk's Office stretched out the door before the office opened to begin issuing licenses at 9 a.m. After licenses were issued, marriages were performed in hallways and in the county commissioners' auditorium. More than an hour later, a steady stream of eager residents continued to file in.
Igham’s clerk Byrum, who normally opens at 8 a.m. only Monday through Friday, raced to get ahead of a the stay that Attorney General Bill Schuette is seeking on an emergency basis from the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.
As word spread, Byrum had peformed three wedding ceremonies by 8:30 a.m. and said she didn’t know how many she might perform today.
Byrum, a prominent Michigan Democrat and former state representative who initially said she would not start issuing licenses until Monday, said the situation left her unable to sleep.
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From "Michigan same-sex couples making marriage history with joy, tears" by Chad Livengood, Mike Martindale and Lauren Abdel-Razzaq, The Detroit News 3/22/14
Byrum said she wanted to make marriage licenses available Saturday just in case the judge halted his decision over the weekend. . . .
. . . Clerks who handle marriage licenses in Michigan’s 83 counties said they would start granting them to gays and lesbians, with some starting Saturday morning.
In West Michigan, Harbor Unitarian Universalist Congregation Pastor Bill Freeman said he’s officiating at weddings Saturday at his Muskegon church. He said Muskegon County Clerk Nancy Waters also was starting after 9 a.m.
Couples began lining up at the Washtenaw County clerk’s office in Ann Arbor at 5:30 a.m. for a chance to get marriage licenses. More than 100 couples showed up to be married.
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From "Michigan gay marriages could fall into legal limbo" by Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press 3/22/14 5:55 p.m. EDT
More than 100 same-sex couples who got married in Michigan on Saturday stand the risk of having their marriages fall into a form of legal limbo if the state refuses to recognize them while appeals are pending, according to an expert on federal law and the courts.
Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of Richmond School of Law in Richmond, Va., said the status of the same-sex marriages in Michigan is not entirely clear while an appeal of a federal judge's ruling declaring Michigan's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional is pending before the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.
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From "Gay weddings halted in Michigan after 300 marriage licenses issued" by Paresh Dave, Los Angeles Times 3/22/14 5:11 p.m. EDT
. . . the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals did not take immediate action. On Saturday afternoon, the court gave attorneys for the nurses until noon Tuesday to rebut the state’s emergency request.
Later Saturday, the appeals court issued another order, this time saying the same-sex marriage ban would remain in place at least through Wednesday “to allow a more reasoned consideration of the motion” to keep the ban in place.
The more than 300 couples who wed Saturday are unlikely to have their marriages recognized by the state, legal experts said.
"We anticipate that the 6th Circuit will issue a permanent stay, just as courts have ruled in similar cases across the country,” Joy Yearout, a spokeswoman for the state’s attorney general, said in a statement Saturday evening.
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Also read Gay Agenda will be Complete when Christians are Muzzled, Say Homosexualists as well as Senator Ted Cruz Says the Gay Agenda Ends Christian Liberty
In addition, read American Decline: President Obama's Gay Agenda vs. Christians
