Michigan Marriage Equality Will Go To Trial

[William769]

In a surprise move, a federal judge announced that he'll hold a trial to consider whether Michigan's statewide ban on marriage equality violates the U.S. Constitution.

A federal judge announced Wednesday that he'll hold a trial in February to hear formal arguments for and against allowing same-sex couples to marry in Michigan, reports the Associated Press.

U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman surprised attorneys representing the state and a lesbian couple who are seeking to adopt one another's children when he announced that the case will go to trial, since the judge wants to hear from experts about whether there's a legitimate state interest in denying same-sex couples the right to marry.

"I wish I could give you a definitive ruling," Freidman said at Wednesday's hearing, according to the AP. "There are fact issues that have to be decided."

The judge was expected to issue a ruling based solely on legal briefs filed and arguments from the attorneys representing the state and the couple, but instead announced that the case will go to trial on February 25, reports the AP.

http://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2013/10/17/michigan-marriage-equality-will-go-trial

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