As state lawmakers convened at the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon for the first session of the year, they were met by more than 100 protesters holding signs that read "Equal rights for all Americans" and "Equality now."
The event was a demonstration by protesters voicing their disapproval of the Nov. 2 passage of Proposal 2, which amended the state constitution to define marriage as the union between one man and one woman.
"Our country can change, our laws can change," rally organizer Stephen Eddins said. "I hope for the day when we can all be equal."
Protesters said the rally was the first step in a series of proactive ways to prevent the introduction of future discriminatory legislation.
"We'll be letting the legislators know that they don't have free reign to pass laws that discriminate against Michigan citizens," said Penny Gardner, executive assistant for Michigan Equality.
The protest was sponsored by statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups and the Midwest AIDS Prevention Project.
Supporters of Proposal 2 said the rally will not change the opinions of those in favor of the amendment.
"They can hold a protest rally once a month, and it won't change the way Michigan voters feel about this issue," said Gary Glenn, President of the American Family Association of Michigan. "It's not likely to have much impact on the legislators of Michigan."
For public and private employers, the adoption the proposal has implications for union contract negotiations, domestic partner benefits and national origin discrimination.
"It's quite obviously not just about marriage," no-prefrence freshman Ben Rubinstein said. "Now they're trying to go after health benefits for state employees."
After the passage of Proposal 2, Gov. Jennifer Granholm instructed the State Employee's office to drop domestic partner benefits from employee contracts.
But Glenn said the proposal won't affect private employers who choose to provide domestic partner benefits.
At the rally, Rep. Chris Kolb, D-Ann Arbor, announced plans to introduce legislation to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
Passed in 1976, the act defines civil rights and prohibits discriminatory practices based on religion, race, age, sex or marital status.
"We can't allow Michigan to pretend it's a moral and just society when our families are not allowed to be recognized," Kolb said.
