Jayne Rowse
Senate Mulls Giving Michigan’s Same-Sex Marriage Ban the Boot
Senate Democrats are pushing to repeal Michigan's same-sex marriage ban, which remains on the books despite a 2015 US Supreme Court ruling that legalized [...]Read more about Senate Mulls Giving Michigan’s Same-Sex Marriage Ban the Boot
Supreme Court Asked to Overturn Marriage Equality as Michigan GOP Escalates Attacks
A decade after the U.S. Supreme Court extended marriage rights to same-sex couples nationwide, the justices will consider this fall whether to take up a case [...]Read more about Supreme Court Asked to Overturn Marriage Equality as Michigan GOP Escalates Attacks
How the Road to Federal Marriage Equality Ran Through Michigan
When Keith Orr first introduced Martin Contreras as his husband at the neighborhood gay bar they owned together during Sunday brunch in March 2014, he paused [...]Read more about How the Road to Federal Marriage Equality Ran Through Michigan
The Complete Timeline of LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Expansion in Michigan, 50 Years in the Making
Pop open the Champagne and sparkling juice. The day so many in the LGBTQ+ community tirelessly battled for has arrived. Gov. Whitmer has made good on her [...]Read more about The Complete Timeline of LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Expansion in Michigan, 50 Years in the Making
Why We Need to Pass the Equality Act
If you looked up homosexuality in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 50 years ago, you would see it listed as a mental [...]Read more about Why We Need to Pass the Equality Act
Victory Fund Endorses Attorney General Candidate Dana Nessel
Dana Nessel is not afraid of confrontation or controversy. The lawyer of nearly 25 years is perhaps best known for her 2012 defense against Michigan's same-sex [...]Read more about Victory Fund Endorses Attorney General Candidate Dana Nessel
First Ever Lesbian Candidate Runs for State Attorney General
Dana Nessel with her twin sons and her wife, Alanna Maguire, in Ann Arbor's Braun Court. BTL Photo: Kate Opalewski ANN ARBOR – When civil rights and criminal [...]Read more about First Ever Lesbian Candidate Runs for State Attorney General
EQMI Political Mixer Raises Concerns
It's been two years since Equality Michigan hosted a major fundraising event, and while the organization's Fall reception – a political mixer – on Dec. 2 [...]Read more about EQMI Political Mixer Raises Concerns
Marriage Equality Wrap Up
BY AJ TRAGER The LGBT community started 2015 with 60 percent of the country (30 states) affirming the love of same-sex couples, and by July marriage equality [...]Read more about Marriage Equality Wrap Up
Creep of the Week: Star Parker
The 2015 Values Voter Summit — an annual event where conservatives gather round to bitch about abortion, big government and gays — has come and gone. Many [...]Read more about Creep of the Week: Star Parker
Detroit Zoo, Michigan Humane Society Host Semi-Annual Adoption Event
BY BTL STAFF The Detroit Zoo and Michigan Humane Society, in collaboration with more than 30 local animal welfare organizations, will host the semi-annual [...]Read more about Detroit Zoo, Michigan Humane Society Host Semi-Annual Adoption Event
Exclusive Interview: Judge Friedman Discusses DeBoer v. Snyder Trial
Federal Judge Bernard Friedman with Jayne and April after officiating their wedding Aug. 22. The couple hold up there marriage license, the legal document they [...]Read more about Exclusive Interview: Judge Friedman Discusses DeBoer v. Snyder Trial
DeBoer-Rowse Children Share Vows At Wedding
BY AJ TRAGER 1234567 SOUTHFIELD – After 15 years of devoted love, changing diapers, balancing two overnight shifts and challenging the state's ban on [...]Read more about DeBoer-Rowse Children Share Vows At Wedding
Congrats to April and Jayne!
On behalf of all of us at BTL Congratulations April DeBoer & Jayne Rowse and sons Nolan and Jacob DeBoer-Rowse and daughters Rylee and Ryanne [...]Read more about Congrats to April and Jayne!
First Comes Law, Then Comes Marriage
BY AJ TRAGER It all started 15 years ago, when April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse met at a music festival in 1999. DeBoer came out with some friends, and Rowse was [...]Read more about First Comes Law, Then Comes Marriage
Michigan's cost in defending marriage ban
If the legal team that represented April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse prevails, the state of Michigan will be on the line to pay them nearly $2 million in fees. The [...]Read more about Michigan's cost in defending marriage ban
Michigan Politicians Quick To Respond To Supreme Court Marriage Ruling
LANSING – Within hours of the release of a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriages across the country, Michigan politicians on both [...]Read more about Michigan Politicians Quick To Respond To Supreme Court Marriage Ruling
June 26: Affirmations Of Love And Family In Braun Court
BY AJ TRAGER 1234567 ANN ARBOR – June 26 will officially be known as a day of love, devotion, sacrifice, fidelity and above all else family. In an [...]Read more about June 26: Affirmations Of Love And Family In Braun Court
You Can't Win A Case That You Never File'
BY AJ TRAGER DETROIT – In 2011, when April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse approached Dana Nessel for legal counsel they primarily sought to change Michigan's [...]Read more about You Can't Win A Case That You Never File'
DeBoer-Rowse: The Journey To Equality Always About The Children
BY AJ TRAGER HAZEL PARK – April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse describe "actively stumbling" into their lawsuit against the state of Michigan. The case launched [...]Read more about DeBoer-Rowse: The Journey To Equality Always About The Children
BTL Op-Ed: A Huge Win Towards Full Equality
Forty-six years after the Stonewall Rebellion, almost to the day, marriage equality has finally become the law of the land. In some ways it feels lightening [...]Read more about BTL Op-Ed: A Huge Win Towards Full Equality
Pride On Our Terms
By Dave Coulter The Stonewall uprising nearly half a century ago, widely considered the start of the modern gay rights movement, was the impetus for the first [...]Read more about Pride On Our Terms
Viewpoint: Parents Moving Marriage Forward
By Dana Rudolph PQ: It comes as no surprise to me that most of the marriage plaintiffs now before the Supreme Court are parents. Marriage equality advocates [...]Read more about Viewpoint: Parents Moving Marriage Forward
Quick Guide To Supreme Court Arguments
By Lisa Keen Jim Obergefell, center, speaks to members of the media as he joins the Human Rights Campaign to deliver what they say are 207,551 copies of the [...]Read more about Quick Guide To Supreme Court Arguments
Ann Arbor Musician Releases LGBT-Themed Video
Pink fingernails, animated drag queens, a seven piece funk band performing in a field of kale and couples in love all converge in Chris Good's latest music [...]Read more about Ann Arbor Musician Releases LGBT-Themed Video
Local Pizza Lovers Start Fundraiser
A new online fundraiser by the LGBT community has been launched in direct response to recent news that a pizza restaurant in Indiana, Memories Pizza, has [...]Read more about Local Pizza Lovers Start Fundraiser
States Defend Same-Sex Marriage Bans Stating Democratic Actions
BY BTL STAFF WASHINGTON D.C. – The four states seeking to uphold states' bans on same-sex marriage told the Supreme Court of the United States March 27 that [...]Read more about States Defend Same-Sex Marriage Bans Stating Democratic Actions
Lawyers For SCOTUS Same-Sex Marriage Case Named
BY AJ TRAGER WASHINGTON D.C. – Less than a month before the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments regarding the constitutionality of same-sex marriage, the [...]Read more about Lawyers For SCOTUS Same-Sex Marriage Case Named
2015 LGBT Wedding Expo Embodies Hope
BY AJ TRAGER 12345678910111213 SOUTHFIELD – This year the BTL Ultimate LGBT Wedding and Anniversary Expo was held on the anniversary weekend of [...]Read more about 2015 LGBT Wedding Expo Embodies Hope
National Progress On Marriage Equality
BY AJ TRAGER In the past year the United States has seen a large shift in marriage equality and the momentum isn't letting up – it's only getting stronger. [...]Read more about National Progress On Marriage Equality
Love Is Love: First Couples To Marry In The Mitten
BY AJ TRAGER AND BTL STAFF Oakland County Clerk notarizes one of the over 140 couples that she married March 22, 2014. BTL file photo: Andrew Potter One year [...]Read more about Love Is Love: First Couples To Marry In The Mitten
Live Music And Limber Legs For An LGBT Cause
BY BTL STAFF In order to support the National Marriage Challenge, Ann Arbor's Necto will be hosting a variety show and fundraising event, "S.C.O.T.U.S or [...]Read more about Live Music And Limber Legs For An LGBT Cause
Funding Marriage Equality Right Now
By Keith Orr To all the same-sex couples who got married last March 22, and all the same-sex couples who have gotten married out-of-state, and all the same-sex [...]Read more about Funding Marriage Equality Right Now
BREAKING: State House Committee Tells Kids Awaiting Placement Their Needs Don't Matter
LANSING – In a series of party line votes Wednesday morning, Republicans on the House Families, Children and Seniors Committee told kids waiting in the [...]Read more about BREAKING: State House Committee Tells Kids Awaiting Placement Their Needs Don't Matter
Looming Dilemma For Upcoming Historic Marriage Case
By Lisa Keen Plaintiffs April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse are accompanied by their attorneys Dana Nessel, Ken Mogill and Carole Stanyar at the close of the trial [...]Read more about Looming Dilemma For Upcoming Historic Marriage Case
Hobos For A Cause' Fundraise For Equality
BY AJ TRAGER FERNDALE – The legal team for the DeBoer-Rowse family has begun training and preparing for their upcoming trial and needs financial support. [...]Read more about Hobos For A Cause' Fundraise For Equality
Same-Sex Marriage Goes To The Supreme Court
By AJ Trager April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse with their lawyer Carole M Stanyar. WASHINGTON D.C. – The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has granted [...]Read more about Same-Sex Marriage Goes To The Supreme Court
SCOTUS To Hear Same-Sex Marriage Cases In Historic Decision
BY AJ TRAGER April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse outside the 6th Circuit Court steps on Aug. 6., awaiting the Appellate court trial. BTL Photo: AJ Trager WASHINGTON [...]Read more about SCOTUS To Hear Same-Sex Marriage Cases In Historic Decision
Fostering Children Only Temporary Bandage To Same-Sex Adoption Restrictions In Michigan
BY AJ TRAGER MICHIGAN – Three years ago, when the plaintiffs in the Michigan same-sex marriage case decided to petition the state's law on second-parent [...]Read more about Fostering Children Only Temporary Bandage To Same-Sex Adoption Restrictions In Michigan
A Year In Michigan Marriage
BY AJ TRAGER MICHIGAN – This year saw big advances in the DeBoer v Snyder case as it moved through the federal courts. April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse began [...]Read more about A Year In Michigan Marriage
Schuette Wants State's 300 Same-Sex Marriages Voided
BY AJ TRAGER The ACLU of Michigan filed a lawsuit in April, Caspar v Snyder. The eight couples named as plaintiffs in the case appear above. Recently [...]Read more about Schuette Wants State's 300 Same-Sex Marriages Voided
States In 6th Circuit Request SCOTUS Review
BY AJ TRAGER April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse at Affirmations Nov. 6th for a press release, the day the 6th Circuit Court posted its decision on same-sex marriage. [...]Read more about States In 6th Circuit Request SCOTUS Review
The Silver Linings In A Disheartening Week
By Jay Kaplan What a disheartening week last week seemed for LGBT equality and civil rights. In Michigan, one-third of all eligible voters voted in the 2014 [...]Read more about The Silver Linings In A Disheartening Week
Creep of the Week: Jeffrey Sutton and Deborah Cook
I was driving home after picking up my son from school when I heard the news that the 6th Circuit Court had upheld the anti-gay marriage bans in Michigan, [...]Read more about Creep of the Week: Jeffrey Sutton and Deborah Cook
Impact On The Kids, Totten Talks Harms Of Same-Sex Adoption Ban
BY AJ TRAGER Mark Totten with Kathy Derbyshire, Lisa Malburg and Johnny and Daniel Persyn discussing the significant harms a ban on same-sex adoption has on [...]Read more about Impact On The Kids, Totten Talks Harms Of Same-Sex Adoption Ban
All Eyes On Michigan As SCOTUS Refuses To Hear Marriage Equality Cases
Jayne Rowse, left, and April DeBoer at the 6th Circuit Courthouse in Cincinnati, Ohio Aug. 6, where the DeBoer v Snyder Michigan marriage case was heard along [...]Read more about All Eyes On Michigan As SCOTUS Refuses To Hear Marriage Equality Cases
Michigan Bar To Honor DeBoer Attorneys
By BTL Staff GRAND RAPIDS – Michigan State Bar members will assemble this month to honor and present awards to top legal professionals in the state. State [...]Read more about Michigan Bar To Honor DeBoer Attorneys
