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SCOTUS Could Decide Whether To Take Marriage Case

The US Supreme Court could decide Friday whether to hear a legal challenge to Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriage.

As we hear from The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Rick Pluta, a decision in the Michigan case would apply across the country.

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals is the only circuit in the country that upheld same-sex marriage bans in four states, including Michigan. So it would be up to the Supreme Court to settle the difference between the states. The question is whether marriage is a right that same-sex couples are entitled to, or a political issue for voters or legislatures to decide.

There are 300 couples in Michigan who were married during a brief window last March when it was legal in the state.

There’s also a second Michigan case on the court’s discussion list. It’s an employment discrimination case out of Kalamazoo County.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
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