Michigan and three other states defended bans on same-sex marriage before a federal appeals court in Cincinnati.
As we hear from The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Rick Pluta, they say the issue should be decided by voters, not courts.
Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriage was approved by voters in a statewide election 10 years ago. Frank Colasonti and his partner got married during the brief window when it was allowed after a federal judge struck down Michigan’s marriage ban earlier this year.
Colasonti made the trip from his home in Oakland County and waited through the night to get a seat in the courtroom.
“I was here to represent myself and all the other couples that have been married – my partner couldn’t make it today – and say that it’s time for us to have our rights equal to everyone else,” he says.
Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee are all challenging lower court rulings that struck down their marriage bans.
The Sixth Circuit US Court of Appeals is expected to take weeks or even months to release a decision.