ACLU Files Same-Sex Benefits Lawsuit
 The
Michigan Chapter of the ACLU filed suit this week to challenge
Attorney General Mike Cox's ruling that Michigan's Marriage Protection
Amendment prohibits benefits for same-sex couples. Cox issued
an opinion earlier this month (see
last week's Forum Online) stating that new contracts with
employees of "state" institutions could not include
benefits for same-sex partners. Private companies are not affected.
"The marriage amendment language was clear.
The state cannot give legal recognition to same-sex marriages
or similar unions for any purpose," said MFF Executive Director
Brad Snavely. "The Attorney General's opinion is in line
with that language, and we are hopeful the courts will rule likewise."
MFF responded to media calls this week about this
issue. To see one of the news stories, click
here. To read the Attorney General's opinion, click
here.
Study Claims Abstinence
Message Doesn't Work
 Supporters
of the abstinence message are disputing the results of a new Columbia
University study that claims teens who pledge to be abstinent
are just as likely to be infected with a sexually transmitted
disease (STD) as those who never pledged.
Abstinence advocates say the research is questionable, and add
that with the right support, abstinence until marriage is possible
for teenagers.
"The design of the study is very, very flawed," explained
Leslee Unruh, president of the Abstinence Clearinghouse. One of
the biggest errors in the collection of data, she noted, is that
the young people researchers tracked often got married during
the time of the study, and that many of those subjects "got
the STD from their mate—the mate was not a virgin."
Unruh added that the study's authors are leading advocates for
condom-based sex education and that the timing of the report is
meant to coincide with the congressional debate over abstinence
funding. For more on this story, click
here.
Lawmaker Hopes to Prevent
Adulterers From Making "Life Decisions"
 Michigan
Representative Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch) is drafting legislation
that would prevent adulterous husbands or wives from making decisions
to withhold food and water from their spouse if they were unable
to make such a decision themselves. Sheltrown is drafting the
legislation in the wake of the events surrounding the case of
Terry Schiavo, a Florida woman whose husband has succeeded in
having her feeding tube removed despite challenges from her parents.
Under Michigan law, medical care cannot be withheld
from a patient unless he or she has specifically asked that it
be withheld. Those wishes can be carried out through a living
will or by giving a trusted family member or friend durable power
of attorney for medical decisions.
Critics of the plan say it would be difficult to
legally prove a spouse had committed adultery. To read more on
this proposed legislation, click
here. Click
here to read "The Terry Schiavo Controversy - Facts,
Myths and Christian Perspectives."
Student Statesmanship Institute
(SSI) Kicks off 2005 Program
 The
Student Statesmanship Institute (SSI) is an exciting, annual week-long
summer program for high school-aged teens. It is designed to effectively
equip students to distinguish between secular and Biblical world
view approaches to life.
Parents will appreciate the assistance the SSI experience provides
in government and civics education. There is no better way to
learn these subjects than with the hands-on mock legislature experience
SSI provides.
Sessions begin in June and continue into July. Registrations
received by March 31, 2005 receive a discount. For registration
information, click
here.
Quote of the Week
 "In
cases like this one (referring to the Terry Schiavo case), where
there are serious questions and substantial doubts, our society,
our laws, and our courts should have a presumption in favor of
life...I will continue to stand on the side of those defending
life for all Americans, including those with disabilities."
-President George W. Bush
Source: White House
Press Release
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