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DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Fort
Wayne is about to make history. See page 18.
Michigan GOP chair Robert Schostak listens
to supporters.
metro
Michael Neumann, Eve, 6, Brian Kutinsky, twins Ari
and Leah, 4
Historic Rulings
Many Detroiters react
favorably to Supreme Court
gay marriage decisions.
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Warm weather brings cyclists, runners
and strollers to West Bloomfield Trail.
Leslie Spector I JN Intern
STORY ON PAGE 8
Denise Goodwin Alter with new friends Daniel Baum and Kari Silver, all of West Bloomfield
Covering and
Connecting
Jewish Detroit
Every Week
Ronelle Grier
I Contributing Writer
ay rights supporters had reason to celebrate last
week when the U.S. Supreme Court issued two
5-4 decisions championing the rights of same-
sex marriage partners.
"Ecstatic" is the word used by Brian Kutinsky to
describe his reaction to the June 26 rulings. Kutinsky,
52, is an attorney whose Franklin household consists of
his partner of 22 years, Dr. Michael Neumann, 49, and
their three children; Eve, 6, and 4-year-old twins, Ari
and Leah.
"This is the best we could hope for; it's very reaffirm-
ing, especially for younger gay people:' said Kutinsky. "It
validates their relationships:'
One of the decisions struck down the federal statute
known as DOMA, or Defense of Marriage Act, which
prevented same-sex legally married couples from receiv-
ing the same federal benefits available to other married
couples. The high court determined the law violated the
rights of same-sex couples by denying them constitu-
tional rights provided by the Fifth Amendment.
The ruling will make many federal benefits available
immediately to same-sex couples in the 13 states, plus
the District of Columbia, where same-sex marriage is
legal. It is unclear how it will apply to same-sex couples
who married legally but now live in a state that does not
recognize their marriage. The IRS now needs to interpret
the decisions and apply its regulations.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 12