Foes sue over state ban on domestic-partner benefits

DETROIT (AP) -- The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit claiming the constitutional rights of four same-sex couples are being violated by a new Michigan law that bars insurance for some domestic partners. The ban mostly affects local governments and public schools and applies to health insurance and other benefits for unmarried partners of the employees, same sex or not. The lawsuit filed last Thursday says there's no compelling interest in denying benefits for domestic partners when heterosexual partners get the same perks. Plaintiffs in the case work for Ann Arbor schools, the city of Kalamazoo and Ingham County. Supporters say the law saves tax dollars and follows the spirit of a statewide vote in 2004 in which Michigan residents defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Published: Mon, Jan 9, 2012