Defending the Truth

Michigan Supreme Court: No Health Benefits For Gay Partners
by The Associated Press Posted: May 7, 2008 - 1:20 pm ET
(Lansing Michigan) Local governments and state universities in Michigan can't offer health insurance to the partners of gay workers, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.
The court ruled 5-2 that Michigan's 2004 ban against gay marriage also blocks domestic-partner policies affecting gay employees at the University of Michigan and other public-sector employers.
The decision affirms a February 2007 appeals court ruling.
Up to 20 public universities, community colleges, school districts and local governments in Michigan have benefit policies covering at least 375 gay couples. After the appeals court ruled, universities and local governments rewrote their policies to try to comply with the gay marriage ban - so the effect of Wednesday's decision is unclear.
The new policies no longer specifically acknowledge domestic partnerships but make sure "other qualified adults," including gay partners, are eligible for medical and dental care. The adults have to live together for a certain amount of time, be unmarried, share finances and be unrelated.
The voter-approved law, which passed 59 percent to 41 percent, says the union between a man and woman is the only agreement recognized as a marriage "or similar union for any purpose."
Justice Stephen Markman, writing for the majority, said that while marriages and domestic partnerships aren't identical, they are similar.
Dissenting Justices Michael Cavanagh and Marilyn Kelly said the constitutional amendment prohibits nothing more than same-sex marriages or similar unions. They argued that circumstances surrounding the election suggest Michigan voters didn't intend to take away people's benefits.
Republican Attorney General Mike Cox in 2005 interpreted the measure to make unconstitutional existing domestic partner policies at the city of Kalamazoo and elsewhere.
Twenty-one gay couples sued, saying the amendment was about marriage and preserving the status quo - not taking away benefits from gays. Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm has sided with the couples.

This is exactly why nothing less than calling it marriage will do.

Just stop being gay. All your problems will vanish forthwith.

Yeah, I saw that.

Have to say, I'm embarrassed for my state.

Hey Tristan: I had an accident few days ago and injured my shoulder such that I was in intense pain by lifting my arm more that a centimeter. I went to the closest clinic here I at the Army base where I live, and was refused treatment. Why? Because I am a civilian.

My contract clearly states I am eligible for medical treatment at any military hospital whilst stationed overseas; however, the doctor in charge refused to treat me because his responsibility is only to "his soldiers."

The point? I know what it's like to be denied something that I have a legal right to based on "who I am" (a civilian in this case). The difference is that I already have the "legal" right to medical treatment.

Boy, that's not right. Did you get treated anyway, PN?

Well, there is more to the issue than just healthcare. That happens to be the topic of THIS thread.

Precisely.

what a load of bull

completely redistribute the wealth of the country in order to avoid giving gays marriage equality

as usual, you are completely devoid of rational thought