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U.S. Supreme Court will take up Michigan same-sex marriage case

U.S. Supreme Court will take up case against state's ban on same-sex marriage

DETROIT – The U.S. Supreme Court announced Friday it will take up the fight against Michigan's ban on same-sex marriages this term.

The justices said Friday they will review an appellate ruling that upheld bans on same-sex unions in four states, including Michigan. The central question: Does the 14th Amendment allow for same-ex couples to marry?

Read more: US Supreme Court to take on gay marriage

For Michigan, the Supreme Court will take on a Hazel Park couple's case in which they are asking to overturn the state's ban on same-sex marriage. The couple -- April Deboer and Jayne Rowse -- and their attorneys held a news conference Friday evening.

"We are just thrilled and happy about the events today and we are really looking forward to going on to the Supreme Court, and winning marriage equality in the United States now, not just Michigan," said Deboer."

Rowse said this is probably the "proudest day in her great lesbian life."

The case will be argued in April and a decision is expected by late June.

"This case involves people of good will, sincerely motivated, on both sides," Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said in a statement. "All of Michigan's voters, as well as the citizens of our nation, will be well served by the court's decision to decide this case and resolve such an important issue."

Gov. Rick Snyder released this statement:

"We appreciate that the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an issue that has been divisive in our state and others. It's important for the same-sex marriage question to be resolved once and for all at the highest level. I will respect the decision of the court on an issue that has stirred passionate discussion and hope that Michiganders, and others across our country, can come together as we move forward."

Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee are among the 14 states where gay and lesbian couples are not allowed to marry.

Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith ruled Thursday the state of Michigan must recognize marriages of the 300 same-sex couples wed in Michigan last March.

Complete coverage: Fight over Michigan's gay marriage ban


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