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Marriage Rights for Same-sex Couples

by Dale G. & Mary Lynn Merkle

SAGINAW РOver 220 people were at Saginaw Valley State University on Wednesday, April 7, to hear a panel discuss ÒSame-sex Marriage:Ê WhatÕs at Stake.Ó
The program featured six speakers from different organizations advocating for same-sex marriage and for equality in civil and human rights for all citizens.
Jay Kaplan, representing ACLUÕs LGBT project, discussed the legal aspects of civil marriages.Ê He reminded the audience that religious organizations are not obliged to perform gay weddings.ÊKaplan explained the long list of fundamental rights afforded heterosexual couples who are married Рover 1,100 federal and state benefits Рthat gays and lesbians are denied.ÊThese rights affect inheritance, social security, adoption, health and insurance, and more. Some states (Massachusetts, for one) have challenged this unequal treatment.Ê The current efforts to change constitutions at both federal and state levels will not only impact same-sex marriage but also civil unions. Some perceive civil unions as "separate but equal" and a step backwards for gay people.
SVSUÕs Gay-Straight Alliance leader, Jennifer Judd, pointed out that marriage binds a relationship and provides stability to relationships. She said, "Gay marriage would go a long way toward creating an affirming culture in our now divided communities."
Sean Kosofsky, Director of Policy for Triangle Foundation, firmly stated that fundamental rights do not belong on the ballot.Ê He explained that a legitimate function of our courts is interpreting the constitutionality of laws and that "it is certainly not constitutional to treat a specific group of people as second class citizens."Ê
Kosofsy noted that when religious zealots say that the concept of marriage is being challenged by gays desiring to wed, they are talking about revisionist history.ÊHe added, "A small but politically astute group of religious conservatives would like to write social policy into the U.S. Constitution.Ê The only time this was accomplished was the 18th Amendment which prohibited alcohol sales.Ê It failed miserably and another amendment (21st) had to be passed to rescind it."
Kosofsky told the audience that the Cropsey Amendment to change the state constitiution in Michigan would, if passed, ban all civil unions and would negate partner benefits now in force.
Rev. Beth Rakestraw, a Metropolitan Community Church pastor, supported KosofskyÕs views.ÊShe told two wedding stories to illustrate how a marriage certificate provides over 1,000 rights that civil unions records do not.ÊShe emphasized that "love, trust, and mutual respect are the true attributes" she expects of couples who desire to commit their lives to one another.Ê
Rakestraw told the audience that marriage has had many permutations though the years and the concept of ÒtraditionalÓ marriage is not rooted in history.Ê
Rev. Rakestraw is an ordained United Methodist pastor who now leads two Metropolitan Community Churches.ÊShe asked, ÒWhy does the state allow a religious person to sign a license for some people and not others?ÓÊ She feels that if the state recognizes some sacred ceremonies, it should recognize all of them.
Jay Crane, president of Tri-Cities P-FLAG made the discussion very personal.Ê He, like all parents, wants all of his children to reach their full potential, and he wants full rights for his lesbian daughter. The day that his daughter told them that she was lesbian, her greatest fear was that she might be rejected by them because of what she saw, heard and felt of the prejudices in society. He considers the movement to deny same-sex marriage as an attack on his family and other families with gay and lesbian children.Ê
Mindy Pennington, the president of the mid-Michigan group Perceptions, acted as moderator for the event.ÊShe urged the audience to get involved in working for equal rights.ÊPennington stressed the importance of speaking to politicians and supporting those campaigns that promote justice and equality.
As the questions were posed to the panel, many centered on activism possibilities as individuals. Two major recommendations from the panel were to financially support community organizations and stand up and be recognized as an advocate for zero tolerance regarding discriminatory speech and behavior toward all groups of people. ItÕs up to all of us to promote changes in our society toward the goal of assuring everyone full civil and human rights.
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