Same-sex couple sues Michigan over gay marriage and adoption rights

A historic trial over gay marriage and adoption rights in Michigan began today in a federal courtroom in Detroit.

According to WZZM 13, a lesbian couple is suing the state in hopes of overturning Michigan’s gay marriage ban and setting a new precedent for same sex adoption.

April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse each adopted children on their own as single parents. But, now they want to adopt each others children. Their attorney argued that 30 years of research shows that children of same sex couples do every bit as well as children of heterosexual couples.

But, the attorney for the State of Michigan, claims that the research is incomplete and that the studies have not included enough participants. The defense attorney went onto say that Michigan voters already decided on the issue back in 2004, when the majority voted to keep marriage between a man and a woman.

A group of church protesters outside the court voiced their support for the state.

“Number one, the State of Michigan has already spoken on this issue. The people, the public has spoken. And, God has spoken,” remarked Rex Evans of the Freewill Baptist Church.

April DeBoer countered by saying “We love our children. This started out about our children, and it’s still about our children. Although we lack the benefits of still being able to get married in the State of Michigan, we want to be recognized just like everybody else. Nothing says family like the marriage license that says we are legally a family.”

The trial is expected to last eight days.

This week, the lawyer representing the two women will make their arguments. Next week, the state will make their case.

(Courtesy WZZM 13 News Copyright 2014)