Michigan appeals court hands victory to traditional marriage

by Allie Martin
February 13, 2007

(OneNewsNow.com) - - The president of the American Family Association of Michigan says a state appeals court ruling that bans benefits for same-sex partners of government and public university employees is a major victory for pro-family advocates.

With the ruling, Michigan becomes the first state to rule that public employers cannot offer health benefits if those benefits are based on treating homosexual relationships similar to marriage. In its ruling, the court said Michigan's Marriage Protection Amendment -- which was passed in November 2004 with almost 60 percent of the popular vote -- was clear in its definition of marriage as only between a man and a woman.

Gary Glenn, president of AFA of Michigan explains one of the reasons why he views the ruling as a big victory for families.

"For the average Michigan taxpayer whose family does not receive government-paid insurance of any kind, this was a victory because Michigan taxpayers will no longer be forced to subsidize homosexual relationships among government workers as if those relationships are equal or similar to marriage," he says.

The ruling was solid, says Glenn. "The court ruled clearly -- and we believe consistently with the Marriage Protection Amendment's language -- that the government cannot recognize a homosexual relationship as equal or similar to marriage for any purpose in Michigan," comments the family advocate. "So it's a great victory for that 60 percent of Michigan citizens who voted in favor of the Marriage Protection Amendment."

More than 20 other states still have to decide how their marriage protection amendments apply to same-sex partner benefits.

Homosexual rights advocates say they will appeal the ruling to the Michigan Supreme Court.