Jun 19, 2009  |  By: Staff & Wire Reports  | COMMENTS     

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan lawmaker said Saturday she wants to change state law to recognize same-sex marriages.

The proposal announced by state Rep. Pam Byrnes faces an uphill climb. Michigan voters in 2004 passed a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman, effectively banning the legal recognition of same-sex marriage.

But Byrnes launched an effort to repeal that provision at the annual gay rights Michigan Pride event at the state Capitol.

The joint resolution by the Democrat from Washtenaw County’s Lyndon Township would have to be approved by two-thirds of the Michigan Legislature before it would be put to voters in the 2010 election. The proposal would be opposed at every step by many of the same groups that successfully supported the 2004 campaign, including the Catholic Church. The 2004 ballot measure passed by a 59 percent to 41 percent margin.

Byrnes said same-sex couples deserve the same rights as opposite-sex couples in state law. “No doubt, it will be a fight,” Byrnes said. “But we’re seeing some attitudes change.”

Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan, said he doubts even a simple majority of the Democratic-led House would overturn the 2004 statewide vote.

“But it does make for high drama, as political theater goes, to announce such radical legislation during a homosexual ‘rights’ rally, even though it’ll never see the light of day thereafter,” Glenn said. “For our children’s sake, Michigan voters remain firmly committed to preserving the institution of marriage between one man and one woman.”