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Attorney in same-sex case pushing for LGBT protections in MI constitution

Dana Nessel Photo
Courtesy photo
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Nessel & Kessel Law
Attorney Dana Nessel

Dana Nessel is the attorney who represented April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse in their legal fight to jointly adopt their children. Their case became part of the U-S Supreme Court’s watershed ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. Current State talks with Nessel about a ballot campaign to provide LGBT protections under the Michigan constitution.

When the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage last June, countless gays and lesbians celebrated by reciting their vows. But the euphoria of the moment failed to rectify the lingering discrimination many feel in the workplace, hospitals and other aspects of society. Now, the Detroit attorney who stood at the center of that ruling is leading a campaign to provide constitutional protections for the LGBT community in Michigan.

Dana Nessel represented April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse, whose case overturned Michigan’s ban on adoption by same-sex couples. Their case became part of the larger ruling that legalized same-sex marriage.

Nessel is the co-chair of a new ballot campaign called Fair Michigan, which is hoping to put a question on the November 2016 ballot.

Current State talks with Dana Nessel about the Fair Michigan campaign.

Kevin Lavery served as a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things Considered before retiring in 2023.
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