Carra backs effort to ban same-sex marriage in Michigan

State Rep. Steve Carra (R-Three Rivers) is among seven Republican lawmakers pushing for a ban on same-sex marriage in Michigan, despite its legalization nationwide in 2015.

Carra, along with Reps. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford), Matt Maddock (R-Milford), Joseph Fox (R-Fremont), Gregory Alexander (R-Carsonville), Jason Woolford (R-Belleville) and James DeSana (R-Carleton), introduced a resolution Tuesday urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark ruling that granted same-sex couples the right to marry. The resolution also seeks to “condemn” the court’s decision.

Michigan still has a same-sex marriage ban on the books, but it remains unenforceable due to the 2015 Supreme Court ruling.

Carra posted a homophobic and transphobic meme on his Facebook page Tuesday, the day the resolution was introduced. 

The measure is unlikely to gain traction, however, as only six other Republicans have signed on, and House GOP leadership has signaled little interest in pursuing it. A top House Republican leader called the effort “divisive” and said the chamber is unlikely to act on it.

Since Obergefell, Michigan Democrats have strengthened LGBTQIA+ protections by expanding the state’s civil rights act to include sexual orientation and gender identity, and banning conversion therapy for minors.

Despite the resolution’s slim chances, Carra and his colleagues continue to advocate for reversing same-sex marriage rights in the state.