Anti-church-freedom groups in Michigan have apparently collected enough signatures to place an amendment to the state constitution on the ballot. The initiative would ban gay marriages at the constitutional level.

Michigan already has a law forbidding gay marriage. But the initiative sponsors fear that a rogue legislature or judge may in some future time overturn the law.

But the signatures have to be certified by a state elections board, the Board of State Canvassers. The board is equally divided between Republicans and Dems, and the two Democrats have refused to certify the signatures.

Democrat board member Doyle O'Connor said he is concerned the amendment's wording would mean employers cannot provide benefits to same-sex partners. He also said it could violate equal-protection laws and prohibit churches from deciding whom to marry.

"There comes a point when we have to say, 'No, this doesn't and can't fly,'" he said. [emphasis added]

I think you've got a point there, Doyle. This is a religious-freedom issue if there ever was one. No government should ever be in the business of deciding whom churches may marry. And it's so Conservative. Oooooh!

Furled link: Michigan Elections Board Fails to Put Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment on Ballot