Lansing, MI – A Republican state lawmaker in Michigan has ignited controversy with a provocative statement calling for gay marriage to be “illegal again.” State Rep. Josh Schriver’s remarks, made on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, have drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and LGBTQ+ advocates, with many accusing him of advocating for a regressive stance on civil rights.
Schriver, who represents the 70th district, made the remark just weeks after the Michigan GOP successfully regained control of the statehouse in the November elections. In his post, he asserted that the legalization of gay marriage in the United States was a result of a “perverted Supreme Court ruling,” suggesting that America was wrong to accept same-sex marriage in the first place.
“Make gay marriage illegal again. This is not remotely controversial, nor extreme,” Schriver wrote. “America only ‘accepted’ gay marriage after it was thrusted into her by a perverted Supreme Court ruling.”
The lawmaker also referenced past comments made by former President Barack Obama, noting that Obama was once “more conservative on marriage than many Republicans today.” Obama, who initially opposed same-sex marriage during his 2008 presidential campaign, became the first sitting president to endorse marriage equality in 2012. He later affirmed his belief that the Constitution guarantees the right to marriage for all couples, regardless of gender.
Schriver’s comments have sparked a swift backlash from Democrats, LGBTQ+ groups, and even some Republicans who are concerned about the implications of such rhetoric. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes condemned the statement, calling it “dangerous” and a step backward for the state’s progress on LGBTQ+ rights.
“This rhetoric is not only wrong but dangerous,” Barnes said in a statement. “We will not go back to a time when LGBTQ+ individuals were denied basic rights and equality under the law. We’ve made too much progress to let hateful and discriminatory views take us backward.”
Schriver’s remarks also raised concerns about the direction of the Michigan Republican Party, which had already gained attention for its strong showing in the November midterms. Following the GOP’s success, many political observers are watching closely to see if the party will shift further to the right on social issues in the coming legislative sessions.
While Schriver’s comments do not represent the views of all Michigan Republicans, they signal a growing divide within the party on LGBTQ+ rights, with some members pushing for a return to more conservative positions on marriage and family values.
The issue of same-sex marriage remains a contentious one in the broader national political landscape. Although same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide in 2015 by the Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision, debates over its legality and recognition continue to emerge in various state legislatures.
As of now, Schriver’s statement stands as a reminder of the ongoing political battle over LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality, with advocates warning that complacency in defending those rights could lead to setbacks in the future.
