Lansing, MI — Republican Michigan state Rep. Josh Schriver has drawn sharp criticism after calling for the reversal of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. In a social media post on Monday, Schriver, who represents Oxford in the Michigan House, stated that gay marriage should be “illegal again,” asserting that the Supreme Court’s decision was a judicial overreach.
The remarks come nearly a month after the Michigan GOP regained control of the state House following the Nov. 5 election and just days before the new Republican majority takes office. Although Schriver, in his first term as a state lawmaker, lacks the power to directly change state law on the issue, his comments are seen as indicative of the approach some Republicans in the Michigan legislature may take toward LGBTQ+ rights moving forward.
“Make gay marriage illegal again,” Schriver wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “This is not remotely controversial, nor extreme.” The post immediately sparked outrage from Michigan Democrats and LGBTQ+ advocates, many of whom have long championed the right of same-sex couples to marry.
Among the most vocal critics of Schriver’s statement was Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is openly gay and married to her wife, Alanna Maguire. Nessel, who previously represented the two women at the center of the Michigan case that helped pave the way for nationwide marriage equality, responded sharply on social media, asking Schriver how dissolving same-sex marriages would benefit his constituents or society at large.
“Please explain how dissolving my marriage, or that of the hundreds of thousands of other same-sex couples living in America, provides a benefit to your constituents or anyone else,” Nessel wrote. “You’re not interested in helping Michiganders. You want only to hurt those you hate. Shame on you.”
Rep. Jason Morgan, a gay Democrat from Ann Arbor, also voiced his displeasure with Schriver’s comments, writing, “This is definitely both controversial and extreme, along with anti-family. I grew up believing I’d never be able to get married and I’m not going back.”
Schriver’s comments come as the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges remains a key legal precedent affirming the constitutional right of same-sex couples to marry. The 5-4 decision, penned by Justice Anthony Kennedy, cited the 14th Amendment’s due process and equal protection clauses to ensure marriage equality nationwide. Since then, same-sex couples across the country have celebrated their right to marry, and millions of marriages have been legally recognized.
However, Schriver is part of a growing conservative movement that opposes the decision, with some arguing that it was improperly decided and should be overturned. The U.S. Supreme Court now has a 6-3 conservative majority, which some fear could revisit or reverse key precedents on issues like same-sex marriage and abortion rights.
In his response to media inquiries, Schriver defended his stance, citing religious beliefs as the basis for his opposition to same-sex marriage. “Jesus defines marriage as between a man and a woman,” Schriver wrote, referencing Bible passages from the book of Matthew.
The lawmaker also shared a 2004 video clip of former President Barack Obama, who at the time stated that marriage should be “between a man and a woman.” Obama later reversed his position on the issue in 2012, supporting same-sex marriage as president.
Schriver, who was re-elected in November with 68% of the vote, has a history of controversial social media posts. Earlier this year, he was stripped of his office staff, budget, and committee assignments by Democratic House Speaker Joe Tate after Schriver shared a racist conspiracy theory online. His latest comments on same-sex marriage appear to have reignited concerns over his political agenda.
Despite the backlash, Schriver stood by his comments, noting that the U.S. Supreme Court has the authority to revisit past rulings. His statement drew attention to broader debates about judicial power, the role of religion in public policy, and the future of LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S.
The debate over same-sex marriage continues to be a contentious issue in American politics. While the legal status of same-sex marriage is settled for now, Schriver’s comments underscore how certain conservative lawmakers remain committed to challenging these rights. His remarks have also highlighted the deep divide within the Michigan GOP and the broader national conversation on LGBTQ+ issues.
For many LGBTQ+ advocates and same-sex couples, Schriver’s comments represent a direct attack on their right to marry and live openly. “It’s a slap in the face to every couple who has legally wed and to every family who has fought for equality,” Rep. Morgan said.
As the new legislative session approaches, Schriver’s remarks may serve as a preview of the kind of battles that lie ahead in Michigan’s state government, as the GOP looks to assert its influence over social issues like same-sex marriage. For now, the fate of marriage equality in Michigan and nationwide remains secure under federal law, but the political rhetoric surrounding the issue continues to evolve.
