Past Justice Action Alerts #13
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Sent: Monday, October 11, 2004

Subject: Michigan Bishops Oppose Proposal 2

I distributed info. about the Religious Coalition For A Fair Michigan with my first email on this issue in July... Please check out the last paragraph of their release below and speak to those you know...this amendment is NOT as it is represented and would impact many, many people, families (gay and straight) and institutions (such as U. of M. and M.S.U. because of their domestic partnership policies.) If passed, this would ban ALL civil unions and domestic partnerships. This comes on the heels of the news that the Catholic Church has donated $500,000.00 (half of the $1 million raised) to the push for the amendment. Still looking to beef-up the mailing list, too:) Please let me know if you know of others who might like to receive news and updates. Thanks as always, Chris

MICHIGAN BISHOPS JOIN HUNDREDS OF CLERGY ACROSS THE STATE IN OPPOSING PROPOSAL 2 Ann Arbor. The Bishops of all four Episcopal Dioceses in Michigan have joined more than 225 clergy standing up against discrimination in Michigan. Episcopal Bishops Kelsey, Gibbs, Leidel and Gephert, as well as Bishop Robert Rimbo of the Southeastern Michigan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, recently signed onto a statement issued by the Religious Coalition for a Fair Michigan, a network of people of faith opposing Proposal 2, a proposed amendment to the Michigan Constitution that will appear on the November 2 ballot. "As the Bishops of all four Episcopal Dioceses in Michigan, we have signed on to the Religious Coalition for a Fair Michigan Statement because of our personal commitment to justice for all citizens throughout this State” say the Bishops. “Constitutional amendments should not restrict the rights of anyone to receive the benefits and protections afforded the rest of the population." The Religious Coalition for a Fair Michigan Statement states, "As religious and spiritual people, clergy, and community leaders, we are committed to working for justice and equality for all Michigan citizens. While we are diverse in our understanding of homosexuality as a moral issue, we are one in affirming the full rights of all people and families to equal legal protections that secure and strengthen the family. Therefore, we strongly oppose consideration of any State constitutional marriage amendment or ballot proposal that would limit the rights and benefits of same-sex couples and families, and would only serve to heighten a climate of discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender couples and families in Michigan." In addition to the Bishops several large religious organization have joined the chorus of those opposing Proposal 2 such as the Detroit Presbytery which said “The Presbytery of Detroit urges its churches and members to actively oppose the proposed amendment to the Michigan constitution on the November election ballot that removes any legal standing for civil unions and domestic partnerships "for any purpose." This Presbytery includes 80 Detroit area congregations also lending their voices against 2 are the Board of Rabbis, and several Unitarian, United Church of Christ, and Quaker faith communities. Proposal 2 would amend the Michigan Constitution to permanently ban any legal recognition of relationships other than opposite-sex marriage, including civil unions or domestic partnerships for unmarried heterosexual couples. It would also prohibit any form of domestic partnership benefits (such as health care and prescription benefits) from being offered to public-sector employees.