Equal marriage champions finally tie the knot
The couple were one of the first to legally challenge Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriage.
April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse — the two Michigan women who legally challenged the state’s ban on gay marriage — are expected to exchange vows during a ceremony in suburban Detroit.
Federal Judge Bernard Friedman, who overturned the state’s ban in 2014, will perform their wedding Saturday afternoon in Southfield, according to The New York Post.
“It seems very right to have him be the one to perform” the service, Ms DeBoer said.
More than 200 people are expected to attend the private ceremony – which is not open to the public – according to DeBoer.
DeBoer and Rowse – both hospital nurses – are also mothers to four adopted children.
In 2012, the couple sued the state – which at the time banned them from jointly adopting each other’s children, because same-sex couples couldn’t legally marry in Michigan.
The DeBoer v. Snyder case became one of a few that were consolidated to become Obergefell v. Hodges – the landmark case that saw the US Supreme Court rule in favour of legalising gay marriage throughout the country back in June.
About 300 same-sex couples were married last year when gay marriage was allowed in Michigan for about 24 hours.
Republican Gov. Rick Snyder said Michigan would follow the law and that state agencies will make the necessary changes to ensure full compliance.
