US: Michigan bill would repeal state ban on equal marriage
Senators in Michigan are to attempt to repeal the state’s constitutional amendment which bans same-sex marriage.
The 2004 constitutional amendment passed by voters in the state of Michigan, defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Minority Democrats in the Senate, have introduced a measure which would amend the Michigan Constitution, and would remove the previous amendment, to allow equal marriage.
The measure would require support of two-thirds in the Republican majority House and Senate, in order for a ballot to be held.
A second bill would make out-of-state same-sex marriages legally recognised in Michigan.
Democratic Senator Rebekah Warren, said that polls show that more Michigan residents support measures to legalise equal marriage than a year ago, and that removing the ban would allow gay couples to become legal parents to their adoptive children.
The legislation is sponsored by Senators Warren, Gretchen Whitmer and Bert Johnson.
