Despite claims that he doesn’t support the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” (RFRA) for Michigan, Gov. Snyder has signed a package of three bills into law that are accurately described as “RFRA for Adoptions”. LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Rick Snyder signs law letting adoption agencies refuse referrals that violate beliefs. — David Eggert (@DavidEggert00) June 11, 2015 By signing the […]

NOTE: This post has been updated HERE. Yesterday, June 10, 2015 was a red letter day in Michigan history, one that we will all look back on with disdain and disgust. Here are the highlowlights of what Michigan Repbulicans did in a single day: Sending a package of bills – “RFRA for Adoption” – to ensure that adoption agencies can […]

An Australian couple in Canberra recently penned an op-ed for the Canberra CityNews saying that, if the Australian government decides to recognize same-sex marriages, they will get a divorce. It’s not because they don’t love each. They do. They were high school sweethearts who have been married for 10 years. It’s not that. It’s that, if same-sex couples can get […]

UPDATE: This post has been updated and the title updated to reflect the new information. As Amy wrote about earlier today, the Michigan senate was considering a package of bills that will allow adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBT couples when placing children. So-called “sincerely-held religious beliefs”, at least for the bigots among us, include consigning some children to a […]

Call your state Senator and Governor Rick Snyder NOW and ask them to say NO to discriminatory RFRA-type legislation. It will only take two minutes of your time today to help Michigan children and families for years to come. The Michigan Senate is expected to vote today (June 10) on a package of discriminatory adoption bills that have already passed […]

While gathering for Michigan’s biggest celebration of LBGT pride, give three cheers (or even five) for improved care access thanks to the ACA. This weekend, people from across Michigan will head to Detroit’s Hart Plaza for Motor City Pride to celebrate the many contributions and achievements of the LGBT community. One key advancement to recognize is improved access to healthcare […]

WRCB-TV Channel 3, an NBC-affiliate in Chattanooga, Tennessee refused to air a 30-second commercial produced by Freedom to Marry that featured a Republican man and Navy combat veteran, Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, decrying the fact that he served overseas in the military but is unable to marry the person he loves in the country he served. It’s a powerful ad: Despite […]

A “yes” vote in the Senate is all that stands between these RFRA-type bills and Governor Snyder’s signature.

Marc Solomon, national campaign director of Freedom to Marry, talks about the road to marriage equality. With a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality expected in just a few short weeks — and a historic victory for marriage equality in Ireland last week — anticipation, and hope, are high among those who support the right of same-sex couples to […]

Even before the fictional Elmer Gantry men of the cloth have tumbled from their high places beyond the altars whenever daylight exposed their secret lives. Last week Rev. Matthew Makela of St. John’s Lutheran church in Midland, Michigan, was forced to resign after Queerty.com posted screen shots of him from Grindr, a social app for homosexual men. Makela, an associate […]

Earlier this week, House Republicans held a hearing on H.B. 4052, a bill that would prohibit local governments from passing employment-related ordinances that are more restrictive than state-level laws. Although it is called the “Local Government Employer Mandate Prohibition Act”, it really should be referred to as the “Local Government Control Prohibition Act” because it strips what is commonly known […]