The courage question

Why is Snyder afraid to lead on same-sex marriage?

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Time and time again as he´s campaigned for re-election, Gov. Rick Snyder has been asked his view on same-sex marriage.

Right idea, but it´s the wrong question.

What we should ask the governor is why he lacks the courage to lead on the defining civil rights issue of this era.

At the start of his term, support for same-sex marriage came with more political baggage than it does now. But surveys consistently show support for these unions, and federal courts throughout the nation have ruled that state bans on same-sex marriage are fundamentally unconstitutional. It´s been a remarkably shift in opinion and attitude. Today, 32 states allow samesex marriage. In a ruling similar to others, Judge Henry Floyd of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision on Virginia´s ban, wrote, “We recognize that same-sex marriage makes some people deeply uncomfortable. However, inertia and apprehension are not legitimate bases for denying same-sex couples due process and equal protection of the laws.”

Even Pope Francis, shifting the tone if not ideology of the Catholic Church, has softened what had been an uncompromising anti same-sex marriage stance. It took courage to shift from the hardline rhetoric of his processors, Benedict XVI and John Paul II, to a more compassionate, understanding view of this issue.

In short, Snyder has ample political cover to stand on the Capitol steps and affirm Michigan´s belief in equal rights. That is, unless he believes that same-sex unions are morally wrong, damage children and weaken our state and nation, which are the arguments Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette clings to as his rationale for promoting the discredited state constitutional amendment limiting marriage to a man and a woman.

But, I don´t believe that Snyder is against same-sex marriage.

For him and for most of us, it just doesn´t matter whether Michigan allows gays to marry. If that´s how people find fulfillment, fine; whatever works. The governor clearly is very smart and pragmatic rather than political. Or, at least, that´s been his claim. He has three kids in their 20s, who if they are like most young people — even Republican leaning Millenials — support the idea of samesex marriage. Defending discrimination is a tough dinner-conversation sell. It would be at my house.

Snyder´s oft-repeated position that he will “follow the law” really is cowardly. That he has the opportunity to advance the cause of civil rights and won´t is something he will regret.

It happens. Alabama Gov. George Wallace, staunch supporter of segregation, who stood at Foster Auditorium to block the entry of two black students to the University of Alabama regretted his stance, said his son George Wallace Jr. in a 2012 interview with the Tuscaloosa News. He felt that he betrayed people who needed his help, which later in life his conscience told him was wrong.

And if, in fact, Snyder believes that samesex marriage is wrong, which is possible, he should have the courage of his convictions to say that. Isn´t it really a question of leadership? Snyder has been willing to fight for expanding Michigan´s Medicare rolls, funds for Detroit and a new bridge to Canada — all of which were unpopular with many Republicans.

Granted, same-sex marriage along with other social issues may not be on his agenda, but as we know from his embrace of rightto-work laws, his acquiescence to stricter abortion laws and unwillingness to push for broader anti-discriminatory protections, that can change. But really, what is the risk.

It´s not as if the Republicans who abhor same-sex marriage (and so much else) are going to support Democratic Mark Schauer for governor. Sure, there is the risk that affirming the fairness of same-sex marriage could keep some conservative voters at home. The most disapproving political cohort for marriage equality is Republicans, age-65 and older, and they are steady voters. And, Snyder, with very mixed pre-election polling numbers, is facing a surprisingly robust challenge by Schauer. He could lose.

But it could win as many votes as a principled pronouncement costs. A courageous stance by the governor would likely sway some independent undecided voters. OK, maybe it´s a risk. But that´s not the point; it´s do the right thing. Embrace the constitutional idea of equal protection.

What Snyder is hiding behind during this campaign is an appeal to the 6th District Appeals Court. In 2004, Michigan´s voters approved (with 59 percent yes) a constitutional amendment banning the state from recognizing or performing samesex marriages or civil unions. Michigan´s Republican-stacked Supreme Court extended the measure to include domestic partnership benefits for state employees. But in March 2014, a federal judge ruled the laws and policies unconstitutional, prompting an appeal by Schuette in a case that also challenges bans by Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. Other states resisting a broader definition of marriage include Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas. Georgia, South Carolina. What does that tell you?

There is still time before the election, time for a grand gesture. And it is time for people, and maybe the press, to ask about courage. It´s the right question.

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