Court to hear arguments in case of married gay couples suing Michigan for recognition

[theHandpuppet]

MLive
Court to hear arguments in case of married gay couples suing Michigan for recognition
August 21, 2014

DETROIT, MI -- U.S. District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith will hear arguments Thursday in a lawsuit filed in April by eight same-sex couples who were denied spousal benefits after they were legally married March 22.

More than 300 marriage licenses were issued to same-sex Michigan couples the day after a March 21 court ruling that struck down the state's gay marriage ban.

An appeals court put a hold on that ruling the evening of March 22.

While federal agencies fully recognize those marriages that took place on the day gay marriage was legal in Michigan, the state has denied the couples benefits related to hospital visitation, adoption, estate planning, insurance options and taxes....

MORE at http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2014/08/court_to_hear_arguments_in_cas.html

[theHandpuppet]

1. Michigan gay rights push spurs out-of-state contributions, pushback from social conservatives

MLive
Michigan gay rights push spurs out-of-state contributions, pushback from social conservatives
By Jonathan Oosting
on August 21, 2014

LANSING, MI — The push to update Michigan’s anti-discrimination law with protections for gay residents has won bipartisan backing from wealthy out-of-state financiers but also prompted pushback from some social conservatives.

Paul Singer of New York and Tim Gill of Colorado have each given tens of thousands of dollars to campaign and leadership accounts of Republican state Rep. Frank Foster, who is expected to introduce the legislation, and House Speaker Jase Bolger, who would have to put the bill up for a vote.

Singer, a billionaire known for bankrolling Republicans, donated $50,000 to the Bolger Restore Michigan Fund on July 31 and $25,000 to Foster’s Spotlight Michigan fund that same week, according to campaign finance reports. He also gave $1,000 to each of their campaign committees earlier in the month.

While Singer has backed numerous GOP efforts over the past decade, he’s been at odds with the party over gay rights. His son is reportedly gay, and USA Today recently reported that a SUPER PAC he funds is planning to contribute $2 million this year to Republican Congressional candidates that support gay rights....

MORE at http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2014/08/michigan_gay_rights_push_gets.html