A group of Michigan House Democrats on
Monday introduced four gay marriage bills timed to coincide with
expected Supreme Court rulings related to the issue.
One bill repeals the state's 2004
voter-approved constitutional amendment, replacing it with language
that would legalize marriage equality in Michigan.
A second bill seeks to recognize the
out-of-state legal marriages of gay couples.
A third bill would alter the state's
marriage laws, while the fourth is a resolution calling on Congress
to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prevents federal
agencies from recognizing the legal marriages of gay couples.
(Related: No
rulings from Supreme Court on gay marriage cases Prop 8, DOMA.)
Rep. Sam Singh, a Democrat from East
Lansing, told the Detroit
Free Press, that the bills speak on “Michigan values” as
the Supreme Court prepares to hand down two related decisions.
A similar set of bills were introduced
by Democrats earlier in the Senate. Debate on the measures is not
expected to take place until after the Legislature convenes in the
fall.
According
to a recent poll, 56.8 percent of Michiganders support gay
nuptials, while 36.7 percent remain opposed.