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The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today (Tuesday) on the legality of Michigan’s 2004 vote to ban gay marriage with a nationwide ruling expected in June.
The outcome of that decision could impact debate on a measure pending in the state Senate.
The so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act would allow businesses to deny services to gay persons based on the business owners personal beliefs.
Faith-based adoption agencies say they do not want to be forced to place children into homes that violate their religious beliefs. But opponents say such a law would be a license to discriminate against gays and others.
The Michigan Catholic Conference has declined to wade into that debate. Spokesman David Maluchnik says what happens at the Supreme Court level may or may not impact what’s going on in Michigan. He claims that if a referendum were held today, Michigan’s gay marriage ban would still stand.
Meanwhile the Senate Judiciary chair, Republican Rick Jones, has scheduled testimony on the proposal, but has not said if or when there would be a vote on it.
