Lansing Democrats Monday introduced bills that would nudge the state toward legalizing same-sex marriage in Michigan. The legislature would serve the electorate well if it passed the measures – and put the issue before voters again.

A lot has happened since 2004, when Michigan voters passed a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

For one thing, gay marriage is now allowed in 12 states and the District of Columbia. Eight other states now recognize domestic partnerships or civil unions for same-sex couples. Back when Michigan passed its ban, only Massachusetts allowed gay marriage – thanks to a 2003 ruling by that state’s Supreme Judicial Court.

During this period of rapid expansion, same-sex marriage has not brought on a destruction of “traditional” marriage. When gay marriage legalization happens, it is a nonevent for most citizens. The sky does not fall. There is no plague of locusts. Yet, the state constitutions of Michigan and 29 other states continue to forbid it.

More here: http://blogs.detroitnews.com/politics/2013/06/25/put-same-sex-marriage-on-ballot/