Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on February 13, 2007

Click here to view bill details.

I do not believe this bill is promoting the interests of the children. When it comes to these types of issues, the childs welfare should always come first. It the natural way of things for a child to have a mother and a father, anything different could potentially confuse and damage a child. Question...would both biological parents have to give consent to this?? Or just the custodial parent?

to sneak this kind of bull excrement into law. The good decent folks of Michganistan voted last fall that they didn't want any of this same sex, homosexual nonsense. It's time for you to get a real job and stop pandering to abnormal lifestyle choice voting groups. Kids are harmed in this type of abnormal situation. The main reason for same sex adoption is to propagate a lifestyle choice and they want to raise children to become like them. If you think this isn't true find two homo men that don't want to adopt little boys. NAMBLA is one of the main proponents of this kind on idiocy. There is a sickness in Lansing that this would even see the light of day.

is the fact that you act like every gay person is a pedifile. Their not and a whole lot of them have a good home with lots of love and attention to give a child who will otherwise sit for years without being adopted and being put through in many times an abusive situation in foster homes and group homes. You ought to be ashamed of your self for your discriminatory views this is 2007 wake up it's views like this that perpetuated slavery way back when and we are still dealing with the effects of that. Whatever YOUR personal beliefs you do not have the right to impress them on others which is what you are trying to do. It is ridiculous to say that just because a parent is gay that the child will be gay as well what hay barn did you just step out of? As long as a house has love, guidance, discipline, and two people who are ready and willing to undertake a child for the rest of their lives who are we to say that the child is better off in a group home, with no one on one attention feeling no love or family bond and then at 18 being thrown out like trah with no family to help you make it?! People who press their discriminatory views on others piss me off are you going to take in all these children who need homes? As long as the child is safe and loved what could be more important then that?

"As long as the child is safe and loved what could be more important then that?" A mother and a father. "you act like every gay person is a pedifile' 2% of the population and 40 to 50% of pedofiles, you do the math. "You ought to be ashamed of your self for your discriminatory views this is 2007" Even in 2007, right is right and wrong is wrong. "it's views like this that perpetuated slavery way back when" You will have to enlighten me on this tie in. Even back then right was right and wrong was wrong. Slavery was never right. "As long as a house has love, guidance, discipline, and two people' Mother and Father is the best way, it's been proven time and time again. "ready and willing to undertake a child for the rest of their lives" The average homo coupling lasts about 6 months. The average "gay" "man" has hundreds of sexual partners over his liftime. It is a deviant lifestyle choice. "As long as the child is safe and loved" And indoctrinated into "the lifestyle" Please explain to me how homos make up about 2% of the population but a child raised in a homo household are about 10 times more likely to take up the queer lifestyle choice?

This appears to be reasonable legislation that has potential to do real good for some children. I think the record is clear that households providing two loving, concerned and committed parents constitute a superior environment for raising children, even if the parents are not church-married or civilly married or a same-sex couple. The key lies in loving, sustained commitment, not gender. Unfortunately, if enacted certain applications of this bill may collide with the Michigan Constitution, regressively amended in 2004 to limit “marriage or similar union for any purpose” to male-female couples only.

"The key lies in loving, sustained commitment, not gender." Wrong, study after study says a mother and a father are the best for children. "This appears to be reasonable legislation that has potential to do real good for some children" All this will do is make it easier to indoctrinate more children into this lifestyle " regressively amended in 2004 to limit “marriage or similar union for any purpose” to male-female couples only" The majority saw this as the right thing to do. Why are you so intolerant of any opinions other than your own or people that agree with you.

any homosexual person I've ever heard about. People also thought the african american people were not humane and were below the "norm" at that time as well that is the tie people used that excuse for years to cover up just simple ignorance and hate. Many statistics then and now are skewed to help further certain hatred. How do you know how long a gay relationship would last are you gay?:) I'm quite sure as well that you don't want to take every kid from a single parent when the other parent is not present correct? So in that case mother and father aren't present then either. The bottom line is if people are screened and monitored there should be no problem adopting whether it be white families adopting black children, blacks adopting white, single parents adopting, or gay. Right is right I do agree with that but who is to say that your view is what's right. You make your argument look like it is soley based on your hatred and what you think well pal there are quite a few people who disagree with you. You might have a better chance of people actually listening to your side if you weren't grouping every gay person in one category. If thats the case then I saw an article the other day that said that most pedifiles are white suburban males so maybe we should not allow white surburban males to be around or adopt children either huh? That's how ridiculous you sound. Live your life and have your beliefs but know what you speak before you speak it I believe simply that you are either just hateful and homophobic or else you are gay and are just afraid to come out!

That the 2004 Michigan Constitution amendment defining marriage or similar union for any purpose" as being solely between people of opposite sex is regressive. It certainly is not progressive. That a majority of Michigan voters approved the amendment does not change the fact – and my opinion -- that it was a regressive rather than progressive move. Why are you so apparently intolerant of my opinion, when you criticize me (incorrectly and unfairly) of being intolerant of others’ opinions? By the way, research generally affirms our intuition that children fare best in an intact family in which their biological parents are married and fully committed to one another. Unfortunately, the US Census Bureau reported last year (2006) that married-couple households now are a minority. So, evidently, the institution of traditional marriage is not faring all that well. But children still are being produced and raised, if not nurtured. As fior the same-sex couple business, according to Jane Ariel, a family psychologist and researcher with the Wright Institute, in California, “Children raised by lesbian and gay parents do not differ from children raised by heterosexual parents in terms of mental health, peer relations, or gender role behavior (except for often being more tolerant of others). This indicates that children raised by lesbian and gay parents function as well as children raised by heterosexual parents.” The real point here is that this legislation probably is good for children. Others have raised the same-sex couple and homosexuality issue. It is my opinion that if this bill becomes law, its application in some cases may unfortunately collide with the 2004 amendment to the Michigan Constitution that defined marriage "or similar union" for any purpose as being strictly between members of the opposite sex. It further is my opinion that such a collision stands to be a loss of opportunity for many children to have better family situations in households where the adults present are lovingly committed to one another and to the children they are raising and nurturing.

of your opinions just your obvious hate for another human being. I think banning the marriage was not for us to say was wrong either. Years ago my marriage would not have been allowed either(blacks&whites)they said these relationships were bad and damned and not natural and would destroy society but the fact is that that didn't happen. The point is despite your own personal opinions no one has the right to decide for another what is right and what is natural. Children are being neglected in these foster homes and group homes and they grow up angry and unable to find relationships of substance because they didn't have that nurture. By your opinion you would have these children just sit until they are grown and tossed out instead of letting a loving couple come and give that child love, warmth, guidance, direction, to me that is simply hatefull. How nice of you to try to decide for the child who has noone what is better for them.

You have posted a reply to the wrong remarks. We appear to agree on many things.

I'm so angry at people's never ending discrimination towards anyone that I probably hit reply instead of new comment. It just burns me that in 2007 someone covers up plain old fashion hate by saying they are trying to protect a child. Cop out if you want to help an adoptive child guess what ADOPT ONE or don't keep someone else who does from really helping.

"the US Census Bureau reported last year (2006) that married-couple households now are a minority." They distorted the numbers by using teens and widows in their report. It was obviously written by someone who wants to destroy the institution of marriage. Even so, wouldn't it be smarter to strengthen marriage instead of giving up weakening it by letting whoever and whatever get "married". "research generally affirms our intuition that children fare best in an intact family in which their biological parents are married and fully committed to one another." Correct "Jane Ariel, a family psychologist and researcher with the Wright Institute, in California, “Children raised by lesbian and gay parents do not differ from children raised by heterosexual parents in terms of mental health, peer relations, or gender role behavior (except for often being more tolerant of others). This indicates that children raised by lesbian and gay parents function as well as children raised by heterosexual parents.” Jane Ariel is on the faculty at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, California, where she teaches family therapy and multicultural issues. You couldn't find a more left wing socialist to quote? "It is my opinion that if this bill becomes law, its application in some cases may unfortunately collide with the 2004 amendment to the Michigan Constitution that defined marriage "or similar union" for any purpose as being strictly between members of the opposite sex." All the good decent folks sure hope so.

"of your opinions just your obvious hate for another human being." Because I believe in right and wrong I "hate"? I don't recall hating anything (except califlower) I don't hate those who chose a queer lifestyle, I just think the state has a duty to keep children away from it. "I think banning the marriage was not for us to say was wrong either. Years ago my marriage would not have been allowed either(blacks&whites)" Interracial was a political issue. The same sex thing is an ethical issue. I wish you would quit using the civil rights argument to push your queer agenda. "The point is despite your own personal opinions no one has the right to decide for another what is right and what is natural." Wrong again I want to "marry" my sheep and my brother wants 6 wives. Okay with those also? There is a long line of good decent normal folks waiting to adopt a child right now.

oh but wait most of them ignore any of the children who are not infants. Discrimination is the same thing whoever and whatever you are and it is wrong so since you are such a righteous individual maybe you should get some help in knowing what the definition of discrimination is....Your hate is obvious in your word choice that your arguments need not even be heard on this site. If you cannot make your arguments without refering to people in derragatory terms such as queer or homo then noone need listen to you because you are not worried about the children you merely use that as a cover up for your stupidity and ignorance. Hopefully, you don't meet your Maker anytime soon because I'm quite sure the Bible says something about not hating your brother.

Do you know what those two words even mean? I'll answer that for you NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! If you did you would worry about the way you live YOUR life and Not condem everyone else for the way they live theirs. When and if you reach the pearly gates you will be judged based soley on YOUR life and not someone elses. If you have any sense you will work on your prejudices before you get there though or you might be living with the not so decent!

My opinion regarding the welfare of children raised by parents who are in a loving, committed, intact same-sex relationship remains unchanged. I believe such children are better off than those who do not have two loving adults in the household, both committed to one another and to the welfare of the child. I believe committed same-sex couples couples should be permitted to adopt children. I further believe their commitment to being a family should be recognized and supported -- or at least viewed neutrally -- by the state, despite what our Michigan Constitution, as amended by popular vote in 2004 now says. It remains my opinion, despite your vitriol, that application of this adoption bill, if it becomes law, probably will bump up against that Constitutional provision in some cases. I think that is a shame, because it works against improving child welfare in such cases. Facts are facts about the status of marriage and households these days. I doubt seriously that the US Census Bureau made anything up about the decline in traditional marriage households. It is sad that such households now are in the minority. I do not think that bodes well for our society. But obviously, the passage of regressive state constitutional amendments across the country banning homosexual marriage and penalizing same-sex couples who are committed to one another did nothing to preserve traditional marriage. Or protect children.

marriage against some laws at one time. Didn't at one time people say that, that would ruin traditional marriage? I'll answer that for you Yes, and did it do either of those things....No! Pure and simple gay or straight if you are a good parent what is the problem? So many kids out there looking for a home so many in bad homes why don't you try to fix that before you exclude a group of people who could make fine parents. Marriage certificate does not mean you are a qualified parent many people in this world prove that every day and until you can assure that every child will have a loving place to go with straight married couples do not alienate those who want them.

"Discrimination is the same thing whoever and whatever you are and it is wrong" Discrimination is what makes you like steak but not chicken, wine but not beer..remember "discriminating tastes"? The word has been hijacked by the special interest groups. If you have a deviant lifestyle and I choose not to condone it that does not make me homophobic or anything else. "If you cannot make your arguments without refering to people in derragatory terms such as queer or homo then noone need listen to you" So what is the Politically Correct term for those folks who have chosen a deviant lifestyle today? "Your hate is obvious in your word choice" See Above I already explained to you that I don't hate. It takes too much energy and will consume you. "you are such a righteous individual" Because I believe in right and wrong and not some gray mushy area? Guess I am. "Hopefully, you don't meet your Maker anytime soon because I'm quite sure the Bible says something about not hating your brother." I also hope not to go too soon, and once again I don't hate, I disagree with the homo lifestyle but don't hate them.

"If you did you would worry about the way you live YOUR life" I do take care of my life but all the nannys that want to tell me that i can't smoke or eat whatever I want keep getting in the way. I guess I would be better off if I was a member of one of these special interest groups that the libs/dems pander to all the time.

"Facts are facts about the status of marriage and households these days. I doubt seriously that the US Census Bureau made anything up about the decline in traditional marriage households. It is sad that such households now are in the minority" I too think it is sad but they aren't a minority. The folks that did the report used census numbers. It was not the census bureau that put out the report, I think it was the New York times, a paper with a decidedly leftist slant. As I said before, they used widows and teens to doctor their results. I'll spell it out for you. If you use widows as people that used to be married but aren't anymore you can skew the results to push your agenda. Wake up sheeple.

"that said that most pedifiles are white suburban males so maybe we should not allow white surburban males to be around or adopt children either huh?" Right, single men should not adopt "Live your life and have your beliefs but know what you speak before you speak it I believe simply that you are either just hateful and homophobic or else you are gay and are just afraid to come out!" Wrong again. Just a normal Joe that sees society sliding into the abyss. "I'm quite sure as well that you don't want to take every kid from a single parent when the other parent is not present correct? Just because there are bad situations out there doesn't mean that you should create more and worse ones. "there should be no problem adopting whether it be white families adopting black children, blacks adopting white" I have no problem with this.

but if you are so concerned about the children I take it that you are against murdering them in the womb.

“The American Community Survey, released this month by the Census Bureau, found that 49.7 percent, or 55.2 million, of the nation’s 111.1 million households in 2005 were made up of married couples — with and without children — just shy of a majority and down from more than 52 percent five years earlier.” That's what the New York Times said. Nota bene the 49.7 percent. Unless you are doing voodoo math that means less than 50 percent, which is less than half, and therefore constitutes what we call a minority by any ordinary definition. Trying to explain that simple fact away by claiming that the Times somehow cooked the books, or making accusations about the Times' supposed "liberal bias," doesn't change anything. The Times article went on to note that, "The numbers by no means suggest marriage is dead or necessarily that a tipping point has been reached. ... A growing number of adults are spending more of their lives single or living unmarried with partners, and the potential social and economic implications are profound." Remember: 49.7 percent is less than half. That's the percentage of American households in 2005 that were made up of married couples (with or without children). Less than half. A minority. Simple fact.

The Troll has entered the discussion.

You have no educated response so you bring up political BS about Dems or liberals. It has nothing to do with that and everything to do with worrying about your own prejudices. Too many kids too little people that actually want to adopt what part of that equation don't you get?

If what you are is enlightend I'd rather not be. The reason why society is slipping is because everyone tries to tell everyone else how to live life. Live your own life, and let the children who need homes be adopted by whoever is willing to offer a stable loving home. It does not take two parents to raise a child that is balanced well loved and well taken care of, it also does not take two straight parents to do it either. So many kids are waiting for a loving home and if it takes a gay couple to give it to them then so be it. Some of us need to remember what it was to be a child free from the prejudices that plague the adult population today.

because if you didn't you wouldn't use hateful words to try to describe them gay would do or human beings might be even better. It's people like you that I worry will adopt kids and further spread DISCRIMINATION:he practice of treating persons or things in different ways because of prjudice.(Webster's) If you didn't want to consume yourself with gay people you wouldn't be on this page constantly degrading them.

I realize that, according to some, I'm just an interloping rat who cut and ran from a sinking ship; nevertheless, I'd like to express an opinion on this. Homosexuality is a form of sexual deviance. That's pretty much inarguable. Some may say it's an extreme form of deviance. And even that is hard to argue. It is certainly not "normal" and it's certainly not a lifestyle that I'd recommend to my boy. But is it dangerous? Does it pose a threat to society? Is it harmful? Of and in itself, no. Funny haircuts, body piercings, breathlessness and exaggerated effeminacy can be irratating. But not all gays wear it on their sleeve in the way that a Queer Nation radical might. I think that Ellen DeGeneres is far more representive of homosexuals as a group than that goofy Boy George character. The reality is that there are a lot of kids out there who are being raised in temporary foster homes and institutions. There are a lot of kids who will never have a shot at any "home." Christmas. Easter. Thanksgiving. The Fourth of July is still the nation's birthday, whether celebrated in Detroit or Saugatuck. For me, the bottom line has to be the best interest of the orphan. The child's best interest is the first, last and only consideration. And for this reason, I think that a single person who is otherwise qualified to adopt should be allowed to do so. If an unmarried couple is willing to accept this responsibility, I don't think that sexual orientation alone should disqualify them. Jim Arvada, CO

on the job...

the ills of michigan? hell no. i haven't seen any in the hundreds written (or copied) so far. why do we even pay these guys?

keep trying to force a deviant lifestyle choice on the rest of the citizenry of michigan? recognizing it legally doesn't wipe away it's deviance. you keep saying that discrimination is wrong. discrimination is simply CHOICE MAKING. gays make a discrimination when they choose being with someone of the same sex as opposed to someone of the opposite sex. it's okay for THEM to make a choice, but not the rest of us. if you choose to legitimize a deviant behaviour, good, but i don't choose to legitimize it. and i don't want to be FORCED to legitimize it. the concern here is not for the well being of the child, but for the 'hurt feelings' of the single sex couples out there. how are you going to screen the "good parents" from the NAMBLA members?

Troll posts again.

Any bill that would help children find a loving home helps michigan. Thats people's problem now all worried about themselves and little thought of those who can't speak for themselves! Get a grip will you it really pisses me off that people would rather these children live a lifetime with no family to support them then to be with a coupl( no matter who that couple might be)that would give them a loving home. It;s 2007 believe what you want to believe but don't penalize these children who are waiting for a home! If you aren't willing to open your home to them please don't deter those people that are willing too.

to recruit new members into their chosen "lifestyle". This is wrong and anybody that has half a brain knows it. Next thing they will want to let pimps adopt teen girls because after all "it's better than foster care". You folks have drank the lib kool aid and gone nuts. I know folks that live the deviant lifestyle that don't think that queers should be allowed to adopt. There's a reason that deviant lifstyles can't produce offspring.

The Troll.

how anyone that doesn't agree with you is a troll. And I thought you lib boys were supposed to be so tolerant. You sound kinda hateful.

You say "...whatever your personal beliefs you do not have the right to press them on others..." So you are allowed to press your personal beliefs through legislation, but us "straight" people aren't??? Also, you say..."It is ridiculous to say that just because the parent is gay that the child will be gay..." Obviously you know nothing of children. They learn, copy and emulate whatever their parents do. The parents are a childs first and most influential teachers, and a young child will always try to get the approval of their parents by copying them...Not every child might turn out gay, but most likely the vast majority of them will lean that way because of their parents.

Actually, the reason our society is slipping, is because of the "do what you feel like" morality that has infiltrated our culture...So basically what I am saying is that we are becoming more and more self-oriented. You seem to be more concerned with yourself, than what is best for the children and our society as a whole.

eh? You just don't like being outed. The way to stop being tagged as the Troll you are is to quit trolling. Very simple.