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MI: Traverse City Tribe Considers Recognition of Marriage Equality

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

Michigan Indian Tribe and Marriage EqualityThe Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians’ tribal council is considering a constitutional amendment that would recognize same-sex marriages.

The American Indian tribe would be the first in Michigan and among a few nationwide to legalize gay marriages if the amendment is adopted.

Most of the about 4,000 people in the tribe live in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula. If the measure is approved, at least one of partner would have to be a member of the tribe. The idea was initially encouraged by two tribal citizens in a letter to the tribal council urging consideration of an amendment.

Full Story from The Record-Eagle

Click here for gay wedding resources in Michigan.

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Featured Gay Friendly Wedding Vendor: Blumz by JR Designs, Detroit

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Periodically we’ll feature one of our vendors here to let our readers know about some great people who can help you plan the perfect wedding.

Gay Friendly Wedding Vendors in Michigan

Blumz by JR Designs, DetroitBlumz, located in Downtown Detroit and “Fashionable” Ferndale, Michigan, is a full service floral and gift store. We specialize in wedding/commitment services, memorial/sympathy and special occasions.

We also welcome Corporate Partnerships and support other “family” businesses. Our award winning designers pride themselves in providing designs for all tastes, whether it be traditional, cutting-edge or “over the edge”.

See the Blumz by JR Designs Expanded Listing on Purple Unions Here

MI: Governor Snyder Signs Bill to Ban Healthcare for Gay Partners

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

Michigan Gay Partner BenefitsFollowing months of heated debate, Michigan Republican Governor Rick Snyder on Thursday signed House Bill 4770, eliminating health care coverage for domestic partners of public employees, and prohibiting any government entity in the state from providing such coverage.

The bill has attracted sharp criticism from the media, university leaders, business leaders, and progressive organizations throughout the state.

HB 4771, which the Governor vetoed, would have prohibited unions from including similar coverage in collective bargaining agreements.

Full Story from LGBTQ Nation

http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

MI: Senate Votes to Strip Domestic Partner Benefits From Public Employees

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Yesterday the Michigan Senate voted 27-9 to prohibit public employers from providing medical or fringe benefits to the domestic partners of employees, same-sex or opposite-sex.

The chamber also voted 27-9 to prohibit collective bargaining agreements from ever including the benefits in the future. Both bills (HB 4770 and HB 4771) now return to the House where they are expected to pass as they did earlier this year.

Full Story from Think Progress

Click here for gay wedding resources in Michigan.

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MI: Senate Committee Approves Elimination of Health Benefits for Gay Partners

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

Michigan Gay Partner BenefitsA Michigan state Senate committee on Wednesday approved a pair of bills that would eliminate eliminate health care benefits for unmarried partners of public employees across the state.

House Bills 4770 and 4771, approved by the Committee on Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing, would also prohibit any government entity in the state from providing such benefits, and prohibit unions from including them in collective bargaining agreements.

Emily Dievendorf, Director of Policy for Equality Michigan, released this statement: “Republican lawmakers continue to attack hardworking gay and transgender people rather than focusing on real issues. They are ignoring best practices in business and promoting a hostile environment for gay and lesbian couples. We hope that voters questions where lawmakers’ real priorities are.”

Full Story from LQBTQ Nation

Click here for gay wedding resources in Michigan.

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MI: GOP Tries to Drop Gay Partner Health Benefits Again

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

Michigan Gay Partner BenefitsA pair of measures is due for consideration and a vote in the Michigan House of Representatives on Thursday that would eliminate health care benefits for unmarried partners of public employees.

The language contained in both measures specifically prohibits any state government entity in Michigan from providing the health care benefits, and would also prohibit unions from including similar benefits in collective bargaining agreements.

According to the advocacy group Equality Michigan, Rep. Dave Agema (R-Grandville) and the State Attorney General, Bill Schuette, both of whom have publicly stated their opposition to LGBTQ equality rights, have been trying to strip away health care benefits for same-sex couples since February.

Full Story from LGBTQ Nation

Click here for gay wedding resources in Michigan.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook. We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

MI: Advocates Put Pressure on Holland City Council to Pass Sexual Orientation/Gender Protections

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

Supporters of adding sexual preference and gender identity to those protected classes in Holland’s anti-discrimination and equal employment municipal policies won’t go to the people to get their way.

Instead of circulating a referendum petition that would either force City Council to pass an ordinance amendment or put the matter up for a public vote, the tack that Interfaith Congregation Chaplain Bill Freeman took on Monday is similar to that of the pro-gay rights group Holland is Ready is taking – place continual pressure on City Council until the panel changes its vote. Last month, five of the nine members voted against an amendment, even though the issue was unanimously recommended by the city’s Human Relations Commission.

Full Story from WHTC

Click here for gay marriage resources in Michigan.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

MI: Proposed Laws Would Ban Employers From Giving Benefits to Gay Partners

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

Michigan House of RepresentativesMichigan could soon become one of the least welcoming to same-sex couples if a pair of bills, which were approved by a House committee on Tuesday, make their way into state law books.

Republicans on the Oversight, Reform and Ethics Committee voted to bar employers from giving benefits to anyone not married or related to an employee. Although the rules don’t say “gay” anywhere in them, it’s clear who they target, according to Equality Michigan.

Full Story from The Advocate

Click here for gay marriage resources in Michigan.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

MI: Holland City Council Votes Down Gay Rights Amendment

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

Gay Rights Amendment, Holland, MichiganThe Holland City Council has made a decision on a controversial issue that was a year in the making. The very heated meeting lasted well into the night, ending after midnight.

In the end the city council shot down the proposal that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation.

More than 200 people packed the more than five hour long meeting with dozens standing at the podium to voice their opinions.

Full Story from WWMT

Click here for gay marriage resources in Michigan.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

MI: GOP Amendment Would Penalize Colleges for Offering Domestic Partner Benefits

Friday, May 6th, 2011

Michigan Gay Partner BenefitsOne would like to think that elected officials would do every thing possible to find the best people to educate students. That should ould be especially true in a state like Michigan, which is beset with serious economic woes and has a double digit unemployment rate. But, no. As is so often the case, homophobia trumps. From Todd Heywood:

The Michigan House approved an amendment to the education budget on Thursday night that will penalize state universities and colleges five percent for offering domestic partner benefits for same-sex or unmarried partners.

Shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday night, State Rep. Dave Agema (R-Greenville) posted the following status update to his Facebook page announcing the amendment.

Full Story from AmericaBlog

Click here for gay marriage resources in Michigan.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.