"No legitimate, fact-based reason" to deny gay marriage

June 18, 2014

On June 17, both MLive and the Detroit Free Press reported on amicus briefs filed with the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals (covering appeals from Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee) in Michigan's landmark gay marriage case.

Amicus briefs were filed by more than 50 corporations, 16 states, and a group of 25 Republicans. Among the Republicans to stand in favor of gay marriage is Dr. John J.H. (Joe) Schwarz, a long-time lecturer at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

"The group of Republicans, most of them former members of the Michigan legislature, argued in favor of allowing gay marriage, even calling the position a conservative one," writes MLive reporter Khalil AlHajal in "Google, Starbucks, 25 Republicans and 16 states make arguments in Michigan gay marriage case."

"It's a difficult path for a political party that on the one hand is trying to expand its membership to a more diverse population, and on the other hand is trying not to alienate its base," writes Detroit Free Press reporter Kathleen Gray in "Some prominent Republicans support eliminating Michigan's gay marriage ban."

Dr. Schwarz is a practicing physician in Battle Creek, Michigan, and a lecturer at the Ford School. He served as a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2005 – 2007.