LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel was part of the legal team that overturned Michigan’s ban on gay marriage and now she is taking action against a state law that she says discriminates against gays and lesbians.
Nessel, a Democrat, is entering the settlement talks in a lawsuit filed by same-sex couples who say their rights have been violated by faith-based adoption agencies, who may refuse to place foster children with same-sex couples.
In her fall campaign Nessel said she would not defend a 2015 law signed by then-Governor Rick Snyder.
The law says child placement agencies are not required to provide services that conflict with their beliefs. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on behalf of the two couples from Dimondale and Detroit, who were rejected by agencies who did not want to work with gays and lesbians.
Nessel replaced the state attorneys on the case on Wednesday.
On January 24, a Federal Judge granted a 30-day timeout so Nessel’s office could discuss a settlement with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
The Attorney General’s Office says there is a good chance a settlement can be reached now that the court has granted more time for talks.
