Anti-gay marriage protester Christine Weick, of Hopkins, holds a large sign in front of the federal courthouse in Detroit Wednesday, Oct. 16. A rally across the street supported Jayne Rowse and her partner April DeBoer, of Hazel Park,. The lesbian couple is challenging the constitutionality of the state's adoption law and same-sex marriage ban. (Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com)

DETROIT, MI — With two hours until the hearing that could lift Michigan's gay marriage ban, there was a buzz among gay advocates having a rally outside the U.S. District Court in Detroit Wednesday afternoon.

As for those in support of upholding the ban, only a blip.

Standing near the steps entering the courthouse was Christine Weick, who drove to Detroit from Hopkins in southwest Michigan with her red sign reading in white letters, "Warning: God draws a line on gay marriage, read Romans 1:24-32, Woe to those who cross it."

Across the West Lafayette from Weick stood more than 50 rallying in support of Jayne Rowe and April DeBoer, whose case is being heard by Judge Bernard Friedman at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Rowse and DeBoer were also in attendance.

The couple, nurses from Hazel Park, argue that Michigan's 2004 gay-marriage ban, and state law that prohibits them from jointly adopting the three children they raise together, violates their civil rights and the rights of their children.

Weick stood silent. She said yelling is less effective.

She waits for people to ask her questions about the message on her sign.

"There's a hell for people who don't repent," Weick said, stating that the Bible is very clear in its condemnation of gay marriage, which she added is the "core degradation of our society."

She said, regarding the legalization of gay marriage, "it's probably going to happen."

"Frustrated is the word for it," Weick said when asked if she was surprised by the turnout of anti-gay-marriage protesters.