MICHIGAN: Gov. Rick Snyder Vows To Continue Same-Sex Marriage Ban Defense

Via Michigan Live:

Michigan’s gay marriage ban remains in place after a federal court ruling on Thursday, and Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette both made clear they will continue to defend it. “When I became governor, I took an oath to support and defend our state constitution, without exceptions,” Snyder said in a statement, referencing the 2004 voter-approved amendment that defined marriage as between one woman and one man. “My obligation to carry out that oath is not a matter of personal preference. As I have said throughout this process, I will respect the court’s decision as it examines the legality of same-sex marriage.” Snyder has consistently declined to take a stance on the underlying issue — whether the same-sex marriage ban is good public policy — which has led to criticism from gay rights supporters.

Back in March, Snyder refused to recognize the 300+ marriages that took place during the brief period in which they were allowed.

MICHIGAN: AG Files Regernus-Free Brief To Sixth Circuit Court Of Appeals

Yesterday Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette filed a brief with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in defense of that state's ban on same-sex marriage. Notably missing from Shuette's brief is any mention of debunked social researcher Mark Regnerus, who was brutally slapped down by the judge who ultimately overturned the ban. While Shuette makes the usual tired procreation arguments, his brief takes pains not to strongly disparage gay parenting.

"This appeal is not about approval or disapproval of same-sex relationships or sexual orientation. Nor is this appeal about a gay or lesbian individual’s ability to be a parent. This case is not about single moms’ and dads’ ability to raise children. As a society, we wish that all children had loving parents, no matter what their sexual orientation may be. Out of respect for democracy and to be consistent with the restrained and limited role of a federal court judging the rationality of a legislative choice left to the people, this Court should reverse."

Despite the above, Shuette does say that some voters probably believe that opposite-sex parenting is better.

"A reasonable voter might have thought that it is beneficial when children are raised in a home with both a mom and a dad. Another reasonable voter might have thought that this definition encourages those couples with the inherent ability to have children (i.e., opposite-sex couples) to enter into a committed, exclusive relationship, for the benefit of any children they might have. Or a reasonable voter, even one who supports same-sex relationships, might choose not to change a fundamental building block of society."

More from the "mom and dad" argument.

"The State has a legitimate interest in marriage precisely because of marriage’s inherent connection to children. The vast majority of children born in Michigan (and the United States and the world) are born as a result of the sexual union of a man and a woman. Promoting marriage as between a man and a woman thus recognizes that every child should have the opportunity to know and have a relationship with his or her biological mother and father, and it increases the likelihood that the most common type of procreation will occur in a long-term, committed relationship. It was reasonable for Michigan voters to think that this is a beneficial setting for children, and thus to link marriage to procreation—the biological fact that every child has a mother and a father."

Three words not found in Shuette's brief: God, religion, Christian. The plaintiffs have until June 7th to file their response.

MICHIGAN: White Supremacists File Brief In Support Of Same-Sex Marriage Ban

The white supremacist Traditionalist Youth Network has filed an amicus brief with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in support of Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage. Which certainly won't hurt our cause.

"The totality of the history of the Western and American traditions demonstrates quite clearly that same-sex conduct can be penalized," wrote attorney Kyle Bristow, suggesting that legalized gay marriage would a "mockery" of historical customs and cultures. "If a state cannot be permitted to define marriage as simply as constituting one man and one woman, then our culture will be taken down a very slippery slope that will see pedophiles, polygamists, zoophiles, those in incestuous relationships, and every other sexual deviant with proclivities now known or to be invented to challenge laws that, likewise, prevent them from marrying whom—what—they wish."

Poor Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who is defending the ban, was put in the uncomfortable position of denouncing a brief in support of his case.

"There is no place in this discussion for derogatory language, and anything like it will be completely disregarded by the Department of Attorney General," Schuette said in a statement. "The Sixth Circuit should use this brief to line a birdcage, because that's all it's good for."

The Southern Poverty Law Center has long been tracking the group and has written about their Michigan brief.

MICHIGAN: Attorney General Vows To Appeal And Request Immediate Stay