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May 8, 2008, 11:40 am
Flag as Inappropriate ewills  

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Local governments and state universities in Michigan can't offer health insurance to the partners of gay workers, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.

The court ruled 5-2 that Michigan's 2004 ban against gay marriage also blocks domestic-partner policies affecting gay employees at the University of Michigan and other public-sector employers.

The decision affirms a February 2007 appeals court ruling.

Up to 20 public universities, community colleges, school districts and local governments in Michigan have benefit policies covering at least 375 gay couples. After the appeals court ruled, universities and local governments rewrote their policies to try to comply with the gay marriage ban — so the effect of Wednesday's decision is unclear.

The new policies no longer specifically acknowledge domestic partnerships but make sure "other qualified adults," including gay partners, are eligible for medical and dental care. The adults have to live together for a certain amount of time, be unmarried, share finances and be unrelated.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j8_Dod_N1NIFZ5pCpdXpboaDZYtwD90GUI4G0

Do you think this is fair? Should something be done.

If a couple lives together the same as in a traditional marriage, they should be entitled to the same rights and privileges including health benefits. People need to mind their own business more instead of making laws about other people's lives.

I agree. Who cares what people do with their own lives behind closed doors.

As long as they don't force their sexuality on me, they can do whatever they want behind closed doors, and should be treated and have the same rights as everyone else.

I suppose it makes sense since, correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you get sick or diseases a lot more easily from gay sexual intercourse?

Correct me if I am wrong of course...

If people live together a long time as if married, share their money and finances as if married, would get married if they could, but can't because someone somewhere tells them that their love and regard for each other doesn't count -- they should at least be able to get health care as if married.

That is ridiculous to me and completely unfair. I am a very opinionated person so pardon me but what I see is homo-phobes in high places passing laws based on their discriminatory beliefs. How does a law like that help "serve" the American people??? Isn't that what laws were designed to do?