Is there even a point?

September 18, 2003 11:41 AM

"They have no business debating the efficacy of gay marriages, any more than they should be debating the pullout of troops from South Korea"North of Detroit, a county commissioner and avowed Christian Conservative pushed a resolution supporting an amendment to the Michigan state constitution, declaring marriage to be a strictly man-and-woman affair. It passed in Oakland County's Board by a narrow margin. But the county executive, a longtime prominent conservative, won't let it go without a fight, and says that with an urban county seat, Pontiac, they should have better things to do-- like their jobs. Is a county board seat an appropriate forum to push another agenda, or should they be more concerned with fixing roads and economy? Does such a resolution at such a low level of goverment even mean anything? Meanwhile, some couples are saying heck-with-it and making that trip 'cross the Ambassador Bridge.
posted by marzenie99 (14 comments total)

Apologies on behalf of the Detroit News lackey who accidentally copied the text twice into the link. D'oh.
posted by marzenie99 at 11:42 AM on September 18, 2003

Meanwhile, some couples are saying heck-with-it and making that trip 'cross the Ambassador Bridge.

If you do take that route, don't count on being let back in:

A married gay couple say they were refused entry into the U.S. because an American customs officer wouldn't accept their clearance forms as a family.

...

Bourassa said he complained to a customs supervisor and was told the couple wouldn't be allowed to enter the U.S. as a family because the country doesn't recognize same-sex marriages.

posted by Space Coyote at 11:48 AM on September 18, 2003

It's not really all that different than resolutions declaring a town to be a "nuclear-free zone."
posted by Slothrup at 11:52 AM on September 18, 2003

Or United Nations-free.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 12:00 PM on September 18, 2003

If you do take that route, don't count on being let back in:

That link is somewhat misleadingly titled; the couple would have been allowed in had they filled out their forms as single men. It's unpleasant, I know, but it's hardly something to get outraged over given that we're not about to recognize gay marriage here until it's unavoidable.
posted by Epenthesis at 12:37 PM on September 18, 2003

Don't we have a treaty with Canada that includes mutual recognition of marriages?
posted by Cerebus at 12:38 PM on September 18, 2003

> Don't we have a treaty with Canada that includes mutual
> recognition of marriages?

That's Alaska and Yukon Territories only, for prospectors married to huskies. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
posted by jfuller at 1:33 PM on September 18, 2003

I have to admit, when y'all legalized sodomy, I feared for my recruitment quota. But with U.S. Customs and Oakland County standing fast against homosexuality, I know it'll still be cool, hip, and frankly irresistible for some time to come. The kids love doing what they're not supposed to do. Heck, I bet even 111's kids (222, 333, and little 0.555) are chafing at the bit to marry someone of their own gender. I'll sleep easy tonight.
posted by stonerose at 2:15 PM on September 18, 2003

jfuller's just glad he married his sister whilst it was still legal in Alabama...

not that there's anything wrong with that.
posted by dash_slot- at 2:31 PM on September 18, 2003

Trying to get between a proselytizing pol and his blind hatred of those who do not follow his supposed path is a bit like trying to stop a hurricane...
posted by clevershark at 7:40 PM on September 18, 2003

Nofundy loves stonerose and dash-slot! They make me smile.
posted by nofundy at 5:00 AM on September 19, 2003

> jfuller's just glad he married his sister whilst it was still legal
> in Alabama...

Last time I checked, I was my sister. Beat that, gender benders.
posted by jfuller at 5:39 AM on September 19, 2003

I'm my own grandpa!
posted by Cerebus at 5:42 AM on September 19, 2003

what nofundy said.
And a local decision on gay marriage really is meaningless...this county commissioner has a flair for the dramatic, no? ; >

(school boards and local governments have been fertile fields for the Christian Coalition and their ilk for years now--is it because most people don't pay attention at such a local level?)
posted by amberglow at 6:05 AM on September 19, 2003