Lewis Problem-Solution Essay article 3

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Several Republicans in the state legislature want the U.S. Supreme Court to take another look at the case that legalized gay marriage nationwide—and hand that decision back to the states.

In 2014, plaintiffs from Michigan and three other states brought Obergefell v. Hodges to the Supreme Court, which ruled that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. If that decision were to be overturned, Michigan would revert to its old laws—and it would immediately invalidate every same-sex marriage in the state.

Republicans introduced a resolution in the House today hoping to make that a reality.

“10 years ago the United States Supreme Court redefined the sacred institution of marriage,” says Josh Schriver, one of the representatives who introduced the resolution. “This decision deprived children of a fundamental right to be born and raised by a mother and a father.”

Shriver says his religious beliefs have been his largest motivator.

“Michigan Christians follow Christ’s definition of marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman,” says Shriver. “An institution established to glorify God and produce children.”

Shriver also says that ten years of same-sex marriage has hurt traditional families.

“Has Obergefell v. Hodges not widened a portal where gays, queers, transsexuals, polygamists, minor-attracted persons and other perverts, advance attacks on our children?” says Shriver.

The people of Michigan decided that they didn’t want same-sex marriage during a 2004 ballot initiative that wrote the ban into the state constitution, and Republicans like Shriver want the Court to honor the will of the people.

“Was this not just approved by a majority of Michigan voters? Is 2004 ancient history?” says Shriver.

Democratic lawmakers say they are enraged by the proposal and are vowing to do everything they can to protect same-sex couples in the state. That includes Senator Jeremy Moss, the first openly gay member of the Michigan Senate.

“It’s a very challenging thing to have to hear. To be continued to be called perverts and be maligned as a community when we’re community members too…and all they want to do is raise a family of their own and be left alone about it,” says Moss.

Around a dozen protestors showed up to a Republican press conference Tuesday afternoon to make their voices heard, chanting “love is love” and “hate won’t win.”

They say their marriage isn’t hurting anyone.

“We are Christians, We believe in the principles of Jesus, but we also support others with other faiths,” says Heidi Miller, one of the protestors. “But when someone else’s belief infringes on basic rights, that’s when it goes too far.”

The resolution will need to make its way through committee before it gets a vote on the House floor. It is important to note that the current effort by House Republicans is only a resolution, and it would take an act by the Supreme Court to overturn marriage equality at the federal level.

Current justices, including Clarence Thomas, have gone on record saying they are interested in revisiting the case.