Another Reason...

So Michigan has given us another reason for us never to move there. In a 5-2 decision, the Michigan Supreme Court has decided that Mark and I do not deserve to have domestic partner benefits. What does this mean? The court decided that a 2004 ban on "gay marriage" also allows governments and state universities from offering health insurance to the partners of gay workers. So up to 375 gay couple have lost the right to support their spouse with health insurance. If Mark and I lived in Michigan with OUR daughter, I would have no health insurance. If Mikayla was adopted in Michigan by us (a loving couple that has been in a relationship for eight years) only one of us would be her "legal" parent. That person would probably have been me and then she would have lost her insurance as well.

This is what people consider equal rights. Just because the religious right feels that my relationship with Mark (that has probably lasted longer than most straight couples) is evil or worst than terrorism, we lose what most people take for granted.

Justice Stephen Markman, writing for the majority, said that while marriages and domestic partnerships aren't identical, they are similar. He was joined by Chief Justice Clifford Taylor and Justices Maura Corrigan, Elizabeth Weaver and Robert Young Jr.

Dissenting Justices Michael Cavanagh and Marilyn Kelly said the constitutional amendment prohibits nothing more than same-sex marriages or similar unions. They argued that circumstances surrounding the election suggest Michigan voters didn't intent to take away people's benefits.

To read more, click here.

Puppy Mill In Michigan...

The owner of Lornich Kennels in Sterling Heights has a long history of animal neglect, according to a Local News 4 report.

Court documents showed hundreds of complaints and lawsuits were filed over the years against the owner, Lorri Nichiow.

Police and volunteers rescued about 60 dogs, a dozen cats and a horse at Lornich Kennels on 15 Mile and Mound roads in Sterling Heights Wednesday after an abuse complaint against Nichiow was filed last week.

Nichiow was investigated in 2004 after animal control found the kennel overcrowded. They said they also found unclean cages, some animals without drinking water and animals shivering.

Local 4 also learned Nichiow was convicted of animal cruelty and her license was suspended in 2005. In 2007, Nichiow was convicted with six counts of animal abandonment or cruelty and six dogs were seized and taken for medical treatment.

Both the Attorney General's Office and the Better Business Bureau said they received dozens of complaints over the years.

(via Pet-Abuse.com)

Read more about this puppy mill here.