Same sex marriage fight comes to West Michigan

24 Hour News 8 ^ | February 20, 2004, 8:07 a.m. | 24 Hour News 8

[MaryFromMichigan]

(Grand Rapids, February 20, 2004, 8:07 a.m.) Jaeden Wagner admits she's a little young to get married. But that won't stop her and her partner from showing up at the county building Friday morning to apply for a marriage license. The Grand Valley State sophomore says she's entitled to the same rights as everyone else.

The fight for same sex marriage comes to West Michigan today. Some local gay and lesbian couples plan to converge on the Kent County Clerk's office in an attempt to obtain a marriage license.

If gay and lesbian couples ask for a form, staffers for Kent County Clerk Mary Hollinrake will show them one. On the front, it requests information from the "male" and "female." - On the back of the form is the law: “No man" it says, "shall marry another man," and "no woman shall marry another woman."

If they want to get married, Hollinrake says they need to visit the capitol, not the county building.

But gays and lesbians won't find a vote in state representative Jim Koetje. Instead of supporting same sex marriage, the Walker republican says he'd rather vote for a proposed constitutional amendment banning it.

He also says he doesn't appreciate the self proclaimed act of "civil disobedience."

But Wagner says the event in Grand Rapids is just the first step in the march to the capitol city.

[MaryFromMichigan]

...But Wagner says the event in Grand Rapids is just the first step in the march to the capitol city.

Comments?

[IGOTMINE]

The groundwork was laid for this 30+ years ago when the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders.

[CSM]

What rights and benefits does marriage provide? How does a married guy have more rights than a single guy? I just don't understand what they are clamoring for......

[FormerLib]

The Grand Valley State sophomore says she's entitled to the same rights as everyone else.

The little nitwit has the same rights to marry a member of the opposite sex as does anyone else. That means there is no discrimination. Of course, the fact that she's a nitwit should show that she is clearly incapable of giving legal consent to anything.

[westmichman]

Not surprising, considering the Muskegon Community College is having a f-f-f- drag extravaganza this year and each year they seem to come up with something to promote their perverted lifestyle!!

[FourPeas]

The Grand Valley State sophomore says she's entitled to the same rights as everyone else.

Yup. She's right. She has the same right to influence and obey the law as I do. She also has the same right to marry a man, but not a woman. College students just seem to be getting dumber now-a-days.

[FourPeas]

Any conjectures as to Ms. Wagner's college major?

Womyn's Studies, perhaps?

[rabidralph]

Yes. This whole episode reminds me of Night of the Living Dead for some reason.

[NukeMan]

When I saw the title, I would've sworn this had something to do with Saugatuck. Guess that's next!

[Protagoras]

What rights and benefits does marriage provide? How does a married guy have more rights than a single guy? I just don't understand what they are clamoring for......

Follow the money, always follow the money.

[CygnusXI]

Do NOT let the homosexual movement hijack yet another word-- Marriage.

Refuse to even utter "Homosexual/gay MARRIAGE"

No such animal!

To use the PC speak they love, and to keep the definition, and prevent the bastardization of "marriage", let's call it "Sanctioned Homosexual Unions".

[CSM]

Rush just discussed this benefit argument. He made the good point that the monetary benefits are driven by the market and provided by private companies to meet that market demand.

I have yet to think of any federal/state benefits associated with marriage. In fact, not to long ago there was a tax penalty.

[Protagoras]

If this "marriage" thing is allowed, I will no longer provide medical insurance to my employees. I would be opening myself up to law suits by fruits who come out of the closet and demand that I pay for insurance for their sexual partners. I would of course refuse, then they would try to get my house.

That is only one area, you can think of many more if you try.

[CSM]

That is private sector decisions. What does the government provide? You chose not to offer same sex insurance, my employer does offer it. If you have gay employees that aren't happy, they can try to get a job at a company that satisfies them. The bennie packages often cause people to change employment. A gay person has this freedom, as do I.

[afraidfortherepublic]

What rights and benefits does marriage provide?

The rights to your Social Security and pension after you die. And the right to be written on to your health insurance.

This has baffled me too, because I could not think of any right that couldn't be bestowed by a will or a partnership. But no will and no legal contract can force the Government to turn over a Widow's stipend from your Social Security. And your pension and the rights to your estate would be passed tax-free to your "partner" but not to your other heirs. And you employer would be forced to include your "partner" on your health plan -- not a small item if one of you is employed by the Government or has a fatUnion health plan.

So let's get right to the point. Are all these couples hoping their partners die and leave them wealthy? Or, are they looking for terrific helath benefits to care for themselves if they get AIDS?

[Protagoras]

What does the government provide? You chose not to offer same sex insurance, my employer does offer it.

They provide nothing, they remove the choice you refer to above. Think laws suits. Then think about what other areas they will expand to. Think about the difference between voluntary same sex insurance and discrimination against certain marriages.

[grellis]

If they want to get married, Hollinrake says they need to visit the capitol, not the county building.

Good. Bring 'em on. I live a stone's throw from the capitol building. That makes it easier for me, my husband, and our three boys to FReep them.

[grellis]

When I saw the title, I would've sworn this had something to do with Saugatuck. Guess that's next!

Ahhh, Saugatuck...the Key West of the mitten!

[apackof2]

The line has been drawn in the sand, it's a spiritual endtimes showdown

2 Timothy 3

1BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. 2For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane. 3[They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. 4[They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.

[rintense]

Surprised it happened in West Michigan first. The East side gay community is far more 'out' than over here.