© 2024 Interlochen
CLASSICAL IPR | 88.7 FM Interlochen | 94.7 FM Traverse City | 88.5 FM Mackinaw City IPR NEWS | 91.5 FM Traverse City | 90.1 FM Harbor Springs/Petoskey | 89.7 FM Manistee/Ludington
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Coverage from across Michigan and the state Capitol with the Michigan Public Radio Network and Interlochen Public Radio.

Gay Marriage In Michigan Goes On Trial In February

Photo: Elenah Neshcuet/Flickr
Photo: Elenah Neshcuet/Flickr

A federal judge in Detroit is going to take more time to decide whether to uphold or strike down Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriage. Judge Bernard Friedman set a February trial date to get expert testimony.

The further delay was a disappointment to gay marriage supporters, who’d hoped for a decision Wednesday. There were same-sex couples lined up at some county clerks’ offices anticipating a decision in their favor.

Jay Kaplan, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union’s LGBT Project, says the delay could work out better in the long run for gay marriage advocates.

“He (Judge Friedman) is being cautious because if he renders a good decision, you don’t want to see that decision reversed by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and having a factual record strengthens your opinion,” Kaplan says.  

But Lauren Brudenelo left the federal courthouse in tears. She brought along her infant daughter. Brudenelo says she and her partner are raising two children together, but cannot jointly adopt them.

“I think we have rights as Americans, as citizens,” she says. “This has nothing to do with being gay, being straight. This just has to do with being a citizens of America and having a simple right of being married.”      

The challenge was brought by a lesbian couple in Oakland County that wants to jointly adopt the special needs kids they’re raising together.

The state attorney general says any change in the law should come through legislation or the ballot, not a court ruling.

Friedman set a trial date of February 25th. 

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.