Anti-gay marriage billboards turn heads

Gay marriage opponents have taken to Michigan's billboards, sponsoring some head-turning messages about homosexuality.

One electronic billboard on Telegraph Road, just south of Warren, says this:

"Homosexuality is a behavior. Not a civil right." It also shows two photos: One is of an African-American man that reads: Born Black. The other is a face covered in rainbow colors. It reads: "Not born this way."

The billboards, which have popped up across metro Detroit, are sponsored by numerous conservative groups nationwide. They are part of a bigger campaign to convince the Supreme Court not to legalize same-sex marriage in the United States. The nation's highest court is considering the issue after hearing four same-sex marriage cases last month, including one from Michigan.

Attorney Dana Nessel, who is representing the two Hazel Park nurses whose same-sex marriage case was heard by the high court, views the billboards as a last-ditch effort by opponents.

"It's the last gasp of the bigots," Nessel said. "They cannot accept that same-sex marriage could be legal soon everywhere. They just want attention. And the way they get attention is through their bigotry and their hate and their cruelty."

Sponsors of the billboards were not readily available for comment.

According to the website, restrainthejudges.com, the billboard campaign is about preserving traditional marriage: one man, one woman.

"In order to prevent the Roe v. Wade of Marriage, we must act now," the sponsors state. "The issue is urgent, and time is short."

The website is calling on Internet users to mail a personalized restraining order to the Supreme Court and all members of Congress stating:

"We the people of the United States affirm our right to self-governance and hereby issue a Restraining Order to the United States Supreme Court and our Federal Courts who would attempt to further usurp: The sovereign vote of the American People. Our State Constitutions. The sacred institution of marriage between one man and one woman. Our Constitutionally protected First Amendment rights."

But the restraining order concept isn't free. The website gives users three options to pick from: For $9.95, the website will send 11 restraining orders to the justices and two congressional leaders; $29.95 buys 307 restraining order letters; $49.95 buys 544 personalized letters.

The "Restrain the Judges" campaign is sponsored by numerous organizations, including: Faith 2 Action, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, Judicial Action Group, American Family Association of Pennsylvania and Conservative Republicans of Texas.

Officials from those organizations could not be reached for comment.

Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com