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Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has good news and bad news marriage in Michigan. One Missouri
lawmaker is taking a stand for equality. We have more good news from national polling.
And five couples in Mississippi requested marriage licenses last week. What happened
next will probably not surprise you.
For the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I'm Matt Baume, and welcome to Marriage News
Watch for the week of April 1, 2014.
Things are getting complicated in Michigan. In recent weeks, a federal court overturned
the state's marriage ban, then counties issued licenses to 323 couples until the Sixth Circuit
stopped them by impsing a stay. Attorney General Bill Schuette is appealing the ruling.
Governor Snyder confirmed last week that "legal marriages took place," but added that for
now "we won't recognize the benefits of those marriages." His wording was important, because
it suggested that other states and the federal government could recognize them. And sure
enough, US Attorney General Eric Holder has stepped in to confirm federal recognition
of those marriages.
That still leaves couples with no access to state marriage benefits. It's likely some
will sue to ensure their licenses are recognized by Michigan and across state lines. Meanwhile,
the Sixth Circuit has scheduled briefs in the case for May and June, but the plaintiffs
have asked for an expedited schedule.
Missouri state Representative Mike Colona is pursuing marriage equality through the
legislature. He introduced a bill last week that would repeal the state's marriage ban.
And a lawsuit may be coming soon in Mississippi. Five couples applied for marriage licenses
there last week. Their applications were accepted only to be later denied. And an equality campaign
in Colorado is picking up steam, with a slew of new endorsements from state leaders.
And finally this week, a new national survey continues to show a steady climb in national
support for the freedom to marry. The new data show 55 percent support to 40 percent
opposed. This is the forty second major survey to show support over fifty percent.
Those are the headlines. Follow us here on YouTube to stay up to date on these stories.
For the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I'm Matt Baume. Thanks for watching and we'll
see you next week.