Reaction by plaintiffs in Supreme Court gay marriage case

Michigan

Two Detroit-area nurses who are challenging Michigan's ban on gay marriage are celebrating the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to take the case.

April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse of Hazel Park were at home with their four kids when they got the news Friday. Rowse calls it the "proudest day" of her life and says the two are "in awe."

DeBoer and Rowse are challenging Michigan's prohibitions on gay marriage and joint adoption by same-sex couples.

A judge ruled in their favor last March, but an appeals court reversed the decision. Now the Supreme Court will settle it by summer.

Attorney General Bill Schuette is defending the ban and also is pleased to see the Supreme Court get involved. Gov. Rick Snyder says he will respect the final outcome.

Kentucky

Plaintiff Greg Bourke and his spouse, Michael Deleon

"Michael and I have built a life together over the last 32 years and we still feel like something is lacking with this Commonwealth in Kentucky. We still feel like our marriage is not getting the full respect that it deserves. Our family is like any other family. We have children, we have jobs, we have lives, we are very much engaged in our community and yet we don't feel like we are being treated yet as equal citizens. This movement today by the Supreme Court to take up this case is very important to us. We feel like we've been waiting it for it for so long."

Plaintiff Randy Johnson, with his spouse, Paul Campion

"Full protection embodies what the vows of marriage really mean and that you can take care of your spouse in hard times or in times of sickness. And it's only fair that be recognized in Kentucky as well. ... Since only one of us can currently be the legal parent of our children, each of us has legally adopted different children and we have to constantly be aware of which child legally belongs to which parent. It's necessary because only the legal parent can provide consent for medical treatment or even make medical decisions. So Paul and I are both very excited about the opportunity to have the court hear our case."

Plaintiff Kim Franklin with her spouse, Tammy Boyd

"Tammy and I, like everyone else, I think, are very excited that the court has decided to take up our case. ... Our families are no different than anyone else, we all go through the same things like everyone here has mentioned. We go to work every day, we take care of each other in sickness and health and in my case I'm a little bit under the weather today but Tammy takes good care of me and that's what we want everyone in the world to see that we do want the opportunity to be able to take care of each other and know not only does it matter but we have the ability to do that."

Tennessee

Plaintiff Valeria Tanco, with her spouse Sophy Jesty

"We live in fear for ourselves and our little girl because we don't have the same legal protections in Tennessee as other families. We are hopeful the Supreme Court will resolve this issue so we no longer need to live in fear."

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The Gayly – January 17, 2015 @ 11am.