News & Commentary

Valentine's Day – a day to show your loved one just how much you care, to exchange cards, give gifts and celebrate the joy of being together. While LGBT relationships are increasingly public, Valentine's Day continues to be a bittersweet reminder of how far we still have to go to have our relationships acknowledged and validated. Today, 5 states extend to gay people the fundamental right to marry that is rooted in the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In Michigan, not only do we have a state constitutional amendment that says we cannot marry, but according to the Michigan Supreme Court, it says we cannot have civil unions, domestic partner health insurance benefits or any other basic recognition of our relationships. For some of our clients, like Jim and Paul who have been together in a committed relationship for almost 20 years, under Michigan law they are virtual strangers. They lack the legal right to make medical decisions for one another, to inherit property without a will, or to make funeral and burial decisions. And our clients Nancy and Margo were legally married in Massachusetts, but their marriage is ignored by the State of Michigan and the federal government. They are not entitled to each other's social security benefits, the IRS does not acknowledge them for tax purposes, and they are not considered married for purposes of immigration. And because Thom and Dan cannot marry, Michigan courts deny them the right to jointly adopt their children and to ensure that their children have the legal protection of both parents in case something should happen to the other. Imagine a country where the majority, through a voter referendum, can deny a minority group the same constitutional right that is afforded to the majority. You wouldn't think that this is democracy, but this is exactly what has happened in more than 30 states in the United States. Denying LGBT couples fundamental rights won't diminish their love for one another, but it does put them at risk. On this Valentine's Day, while we share the love for others, let us also think about how to create a fairer and just state for all people who love, including our friends in the LGBT community.

Today marks the first congressional hearing on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in 17 years. The repeal of this misguided policy, which calls for the discharge of members of the military who engage in “homosexual acts” or “demonstrate a propensity to engage in homosexual acts”, is long overdue.

As summer continues to roll on, the temperature continues to rise. That will certainly be the case this weekend with the annual Hotter Than July! picnic in Detroit. The picnic is part of a weeklong series of events celebrating black gay pride. What makes the event even more special is that Detroit’s black gay pride is the oldest in the Midwest. Metro Detroit has always had a diverse and creative African-American community. From Motown to Menjo’s, we’ve been on the frontlines of what’s innovative. The events surrounding black gay pride are an extension of that legacy. While a lot of progress still has to be made in regards to the LGBT community and civil rights, there is much to celebrate! Supporting the LGBT community is part a long tradiation at the ACLU dating back to 1937. That year, the the national office took a case opposing censorship of the play “The Children’s Hour,” which included a lesbian character. And once again, we’re proud to stand alongside an event with an equally impressive history. So come celebrate this history with us. The picnic is Saturday, July, 25 at Palmer Park in Detroit. If you’re planning on attending the picnic be sure to stop by the ACLU table and say hello. You’ll even get a chance to take a picture with a familiar face -- Lady Liberty. Showing your pride is a great way to beat the summer heat, especially when it's Hotter Than July.

Jay

Roland Leggett, ACLU of Michigan Field OrganizerHappy holidays! You may not be used to hearing that in June but for a lot of people in the LGBT community, myself included, this time of year is almost as exciting as the real thing. That’s because June is the month where cities around the world celebrate their LGBT communities with pride events.Pride month has come so far, that now it’s actually considered to be something of a national tradition. In fact, earlier this month the White House released a proclamation naming June as National Pride month!We here at the ACLU of Michigan have some exciting things in store for Pride Month as well. It all started last night with what is the first in a series of LGBT themed events called “Libations and Liberties”, an ACLU cocktail party for the LGBT community and its straight allies. The event is being put on by our LGBT Project, which works to fight discrimination and move public opinion on LGBT rights through the courts, legislatures and public education. We will also be out and proud at Motor City Pride, State Pride in Lansing and Hotter than July. While we’ll have our usual goodies to give out, we have a special surprise in store this year as well.This is also a great time of year take inventory of  the progress that has been made this year as well as some of the challenges. The country is still struggling to realize the promise of equality for all under the law. However, this Pride month we invite you to stand alongside us, as we continue to fight for the constitutional rights of all Americans.It doesn’t hurt that you can have a little fun along the way at a pride event; so stop by and say hi! 

With Spring comes prom season for our nation’s high schools and for some Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender students, with prom season comes controversy as they try to bring a same gender date to the prom. LGBT students, like other students, have the right to participate in this rite of passage and to bring dates of their choice. But even in 2009, some public high schools have a problem with this. What schools may not know is that who you decide to bring to the prom is constitutionally protected speech, guaranteed by the First Amendment in our constitution. In 1980, a federal court upheld the right of student, Aaron Fricke, to bring a same-sex date to his Rhode Island high school prom. It didn’t matter that some students and parents disapproved of Aaron’s choice because his decision was constitutionally protected freedom of expression. The First Amendment not only protects your choice date, but it also protects what students wear to the prom. For instance, female students have the right to wear a tuxedo instead of a dress. The same rule applies if a male student decided to wear a formal dress. School districts can have dress codes, but if tuxedos and formal dress are a part of that dress code then any student should be allowed to wear them. The ACLU has assisted countless LGBT students who experienced problems around prom time through the years and has even developed a website to provide assistance to students encountering difficulties because of their choice of date or dress: www.aclu.org/lgbtprom. If you’re experiencing any problems with your school administration over your date or dress at the prom contact me at kaplan@aclumich.org or 313-578-6812.