Last week, the Michigan Supreme Court announced that it will hear arguments in a domestic partnership benefits case . The Supreme Court will hear new arguments from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of 21 gay couples. In February, the Supreme Court issued a ruling stating that Michigan's 2004 Proposal 2 ban on same-sex marriage also outlawed domestic partner benefits for the same-sex partners of public employees. The February ruling took effect immediately, although many institutions have continued to offer benefits as they wait for the case be decided conclusively. The Supreme Court declined last week to issue a stay in the case.
Advocates of domestic partner benefits have argued that the state has no legal right to outlaw domestic partner benefits at universities and educational institutions. Additionally, advocates have argued that the courts' interpretation of Proposal 2 has gone beyond its intent, pointing out that Proposal 2's supporters said that it would not ban domestic partner benefits.
No date has been set for the case to be argued before the Supreme Court.
