In Michigan, the full impact of the state amendment barring any legal protections for gay couples is beginning to be felt. You may recall that the anti-gay marriage forces insisted that they only intended to ban marriage as such, and that domestic partnerships or civil unions would be unaffected. They lied - and they are still lying. In Michigan, where the theocons celebrated victory in 2004, the state court of appeals has just ruled that government employees or employees at public universities have no right to any domestic partnership benefits, including healthcare. Money quote:
"The marriage amendment's plain language prohibits public employers from recognizing same-sex unions for any purpose," the court said.
Remember this when you're told that the intent of identically worded amendments would leave domestic partnerships untouched. I wonder how many straight marriages now feel more secure knowing that some gay spouse has just lost healthcare benefits.