Michigan Lawmaker Pam Byrnes Renews Push to Overturn State's Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

Following Kalamazoo, Michigan's overwhelming passage of an anti-discrimination law on Tuesday, state lawmaker Pam Byrnes has renewed an effort she announced in June, introducing legislation to repeal the state's 2004 amendment declaring marriage between a man and a woman.

The Detroit News reports:

"Both chambers would have to pass the resolution to place the question on the ballot, a scenario unlikely to happen in the Republican-controlled Senate. If the resolution doesn't pass, proponents would have to collect more than 380,000 signatures to bring the question to a vote in the Nov. 2, 2010, general election. Byrnes said public opinion has swung quickly in recent years, especially in reaction to stories of same-sex couples being denied access to a partner's health care benefits or visitation rights to their loved ones at hospitals. 'I know it's going to be a struggle,' she said. '(But) we have seen some very significant changes in a short period of time; the ordinance in Kalamazoo is an indication.' ... 'If (people) have a gay daughter or son, they think they should be able to enter into a committed relationship,' Byrnes said. 'We're going to keep pushing this until we have enough votes to do it.' Byrnes' plan amends Michigan's Constitution to repeal the Proposal 2 same-sex marriage ban and allows Michigan to recognize same-sex marriages from other states. She also plans to introduce legislation that would permit same-sex marriages. The legislation contains a religious exemption to allow clergy the right to refuse performing or certifying same-sex marriages."

Catholic groups say they will oppose the measure if it gains steam:

"Proposal 2 was supported by a broad coalition that included the Michigan Catholic Conference and other religious groups. Dave Maluchnik, director of communications with the Michigan Catholic Conference, noted the Kalamazoo vote had nothing to do with gay marriage. Maluchnik disagreed with the notion that what happened in Kalamazoo reflects a change in public sentiment on the same-sex marriage issue. He said he doesn't think the initiative to get the issue back on the ballot will gain traction in the state, but if it does the Michigan Catholic Conference will oppose it.' We've made our position on the issue of marriage loud and clear and will continue to do so,' Maluchnik said. 'Michigan voters are concerned right now about the state's economy and anything that (distracts) the Legislature from that issue is not in Michigan's best interest.'"

Gay HIV-Positive Detroit-Area Man Ordered to Stand Trial for Biting Neighbor and Using Virus 'As a Weapon'

Daniel Allen (below, right), a gay man from Clinton Township, Michigan, was ordered to stand trial yesterday for "using HIV as a weapon" during a fight with his neighbor Winfred Fernandis, Jr. (above). Allen reportedly bit Fernandis:

"Allen, 44, told reporters last week that he is HIV positive and admitted to biting his neighbor, Winfred Fernandis Jr., after neighborhood kids tossed a football into his yard. Fernandis, 28, was hospitalized after the attack. Police say Allen bit him through the lip, on the ear, nose and neck. It was a matter of self defense, according to Allen, who says Fernandis and his family attacked him because he is gay. 'I am still maintaining my client is the victim of a hate crime,' Allen's attorney said, per the Detroit News. 'He will be exonerated. This is the very first battle in what I think is going to be a long war.'' He (Allen) knew he was HIV-positive, and he bit the guy,' Judge Linda Davis said in her ruling today. 'That on its own shows intent.' Davis also ordered Allen submit to a blood test to verify his HIV status."

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Kalamazoo Episcopalians Take Out Full Page Anti-Discrimination Ad

Note: Political director Corey Johnson and I will be live-blogging election results this evening here on the site. Please join us.

Kalamazoo, Michigan-area Episcopalians wanted to counter the Roman Catholic Bishop, who has publicly opposed the anti-discrimination ballot measure up for a vote there today, so they raised $7,000 in donations from individual Episcopalians to put a full page ad in Sunday's paper and demonstrate to area voters that not all Christians are anti-gay.

Said Rev. Cynthia Black, Rector of the Parish Church of Christ the King in a press release: “Our denomination was very clear this past summer when it’s legislative convention met in Anaheim, California. As Episcopalians we are to actively work to defeat discrimination of any kind, especially discrimination against our transgender and gay sisters and brothers. We tossed around a lot of ideas, and finally settled on two: to raise money and signatures for a full page ad in the local paper, and to go door to door, sharing our perspective on why a ‘Yes’ vote is necessary. We had no idea if we could raise the $6000 necessary for a full page color ad, so we sought a grant for matching funds. When that didn’t come through, we decided to step out in faith, and raise the entire $6,000 ourselves. It’s a wonderful position to be in, and clearly demonstrates the conviction of Episcopalians in this area."

The full-page ad above ran in the Kalamazoo Gazette on Sunday. The Rev. Beth McLaren, Associate Rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, and The Rev. Anne Reed of the Diocese of Western Michigan were also involved.

As I mentioned yesterday, the opposition has been running fear-mongering ads trying to scare voters into believing they will be sharing the bathroom with transgender predators should the ordinance pass.

Anti-Gay Kalamazoo, Michigan Scare Campaign Gets a TV Ad

Note: Political director Corey Johnson and I will be live-blogging election results tomorrow evening here on the site. Please join us.

UPDATED

Another ordinance we'll be watching tomorrow is the heavily funded anti-discrimination measure in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Two weeks ago I posted about the flyers being distributed there by the anti-gay side meant to generate fear about transgender people in public bathrooms.

Here's the TV ad version of those flyers.

UPDATE: Hadn't seen this, they are also using the same exact footage used in a similar campaign in Gainesville, Florida last year showing a "transgender predator" (below) stalking children in a public bathroom. Btw, the anti-discrimination ordinance survived in Gainesville. Really, beyond the pale.

Watch both spots, AFTER THE JUMP...

Michigan College Bars Dustin Lance Black from Forum on Sexuality

Hope College in Holland, Michigan has barred Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black from speaking at a forum on sexuality, according to the school paper, The Anchor:

"Hope College’s Sexuality Roundtable’s request to host Hollywood screenwriter Dustin Lance Black as a speaker on campus has been denied by the college administration. According to the Sexuality Roundtable, Hope cited two reasons for its decision: 'Black’s advocacy would be too strong for campus,' and 'Black would ‘polarize’ the campus.'"

And while Black has been barred from the Sexuality Roundtable, he has been invited to speak at a screenwriting class. Said Dean of Students Richard Frost: "'They have a class that deals with screenwriting, and so there’s a natural tie in what he would talk about in terms of the process. That would be an appropriate thing to talk about. For example, if there’s a political science class about elections, or politics, or how you do grassroots movement, how you do political organizing, how you do political campaigns, (that) would be a great thing for him to talk about because (‘Milk’) has parts of those things in it.”

Read a PDF of the college paper here.

Added Frost to the Holland Sentinel: "We are willing to do these things, but for the college to do this, we have to be sure it’s educational. It’s back-and-forth and educational. It’s not advocacy.”

In related news, Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan has decided not to withdraw a controversial memo instructing professors not to "advocate for homosexual issues and same-sex marriage."

The Grand Rapids Press reports: "In a letter issued to the college's faculty Monday, board of trustees chairman Bastian Knoppers said they did not change a policy banning the advocacy of homosexual practices and same-sex marriage. But trustees said they understand many faculty members thought they did and deeply regret 'confusion and distress that has resulted,' he said...The Faculty Senate voted earlier this month to ask the board to withdraw the memo, saying it stifles academic freedoms that encourage open discussion of social issues between students and professors. Professors still are digesting Knoppers letter but are pleased the issue will continue to be discussed, Faculty Senate Vice Chair Karin Maag said this morning."

Attempting Record, Michigan Man Stuffs 16 Cockroaches in His Mouth

Since I posted about the previous attempt...

This is not for the squeamish. A Lansing, Michigan man attempted to break a record held by Travis Fessler of Florence, Kentucky over the weekend by stuffing 16 Madagascar hissing cockroaches into his mouth and holding them there for 10 seconds. The record would need to be certified by Guinness for it to be official.

Watch (if you can stomach it), AFTER THE JUMP...