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Same-sex EMU policy under fire
By Anne Joling, Daily Staff Reporter
March 08, 2005
Four months after the passage of Proposal 2 banned same-sex marriage in Michigan, Eastern Michigan University is facing challenges from conservative groups in Michigan regarding the same-sex domestic partnership benefits it offers.
Under attack is EMU’s policy of offering half off tuition to spouses or domestic partners of its employees — a policy that conservative groups say violates the state constitution by offering the discount to students in same-sex relationships with EMU employees.
In a statement released last Wednesday, the American Family Association of Michigan said it believes EMU is violating the Marriage Protection Amendment, which was added to the state constitution under Proposal 2.
The amendment defines marriage as between a man and a woman, mandating that such a relationship “shall be the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose” by the state.
“We don’t have any doubt that Eastern’s intent is to treat homosexual domestic partnerships as being equal or similar to marriage and is thus a violation of the state constitution,” said Gary Glenn, president of AFA-Michigan.
But prior to the passage of Proposal 2, Glenn and other supporters of the amendment were quoted as saying that if the proposal passed, it would not prevent a public institution from offering same-sex benefits to their employees.
In a November op-ed piece in the Detroit News, written by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, Glenn is quoted as having said the proposal “will not affect benefits offered to people living together or in same-sex relationships.”
Glenn said he has no recollection of ever making such a statement.
“I’m not familiar with having said that, and, if you’ve noticed, I use the word ‘homosexual’ when talking about this issue instead of the politically correct ‘same-sex,’ ” Glenn said.
In an earlier interview, Patrick Gillen, an attorney for the Ann Arbor-based Conservative Thomas More Law Center said he did not know of any statements made regarding whether Proposal 2 would prevent employers from offering same-sex benefits.
“I’m not aware of any deceptive comments by supporters of the proposal,” Gillen said.
EMU spokeswoman Pam Young said the university provides half off tuition to an employee’s spouse or his domestic partner as long as they provide documentation of being in a relationship for a year.
EMU’s general counsel, Ken McKander, said EMU is not yet sure how they will go about handling this situation.
“At this point, it’s not clear that (this type of benefit) is prohibited by the amendment,” McKander said. “We’re waiting to take a look at the attorney general’s opinion and the outcome of the impending lawsuit with the Ann Arbor Public Schools.”
Last month, the Thomas More Law Center filed a lawsuit to appeal a previous decision regarding the Ann Arbor Public Schools’ right to offer same-sex domestic partner benefits.
Wednesday’s statement from AFA-Michigan was also delivered to Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox. Glenn said he hopes Cox and members of the state Legislature will take a look at the issue.
Cox could not be reached yesterday for comment.
Glenn also said the American Family Association is opposed to EMU’s policy because it forces taxpayers to subsidize the tuition for an employee’s domestic partner and because it promotes an unhealthy lifestyle.
“Men age 20 and up who engage in homosexual or bisexual behavior will live eight to 20 years less than the general population,” Glenn said. “So, if we truly care about the health and lives of Michigan college students, we certainly wouldn’t be rewarding homosexuals with free tuition and thus encouraging self-destructive behavior.”
Young said EMU feels Glenn is misrepresenting the university’s policy and is misleading the public.
“We’re concerned that Mr. Glenn is using this information to promote his own agenda and that he’s preying on people’s emotions,” she said.
University spokeswoman Julie Peterson said the University is concerned that its same-sex benefit policies will be challenged, but is prepared to fight to maintain its current practices.
“We don’t think that Proposal 2 or the constitutional definition of marriage has any bearing on the types of benefits that we decide to offer,” Peterson said. “We intend to vigorously defend our right to offer these types of benefits.”
Gary Glenn and his cohorts are responding to emails. Here is one
Thanks for your kind, mature message.
Actually, we put out news releases condemning Fred Phelps when he came to Michigan.
Please specify the "lies" you allege. Just because the ACLU says I said something doesn't make it true. Can you find the original source for that alleged quote?
We've said all along that the amendment would prohibit offering benefits solely on the basis of treating a homosexual relationship as equal or similar to marriage.
Gary Glenn, President
American Family Association of Michigan
Please send you "mature and kind messages" to info@afamichigan.org or afam@chartermi.net
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