MICHIGAN: Activists Launch Marriage Equality Referendum Drive For 2016

In March a federal judge ruled that Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. That ruling was stayed pending appeal but not before over 300 gay couples had married. The ACLU then filed suit on behalf of eight of those couples with a demand that the state recognize the marriages conducted during the days in which it was legal. While the original suit awaits consideration by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, local Michigan activists are today launching a petition drive to place the issue before voters in 2016.

Community activists, religious leaders and other supporters of same-sex marriage in Michigan are expected to kick off a campaign Thursday for a 2016 ballot initiative to legalize gay marriage in the state. The initiative will be called Michigan for Marriage, organizers said. In Metro Detroit, organizers will kick off their petition drive at noon at the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ Auditorium, located at 1200 N. Telegraph in Pontiac. Petition drives will also be launched in Lansing and Grand Rapids.

Visit the Michigan For Marriage site for more details.