Rep. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) and Sen. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor) today submitted bills in both houses of the state legislature to allow unmarried couples, including gay couples, to adopt children in Michigan.

“Studies have shown the importance to children of maintaining a safe, loving home with two stable parents,” Rep Irwin said in a press release. “This bill will ensure that more children in Michigan can enjoy the benefits of two parents who share all of the rights and responsibilities of parenthood. This bill removes legal hurdles for unmarried couples who want to provide legal rights for themselves and their adopted children. Extending parental obligations to both parents is a moral imperative because it gives more Michigan children the benefits of two legal parents and the assistance that two parents can provide in making medical decisions, emotional support and meeting financial obligations.”

“We have many diverse families here in the state of Michigan,” said Sen. Warren. “It is high time we recognize these families and work to guarantee legal and financial security for all of our children. Second parent adoption will do just that, while also expanding the pool of potential foster and adoptive parents for thousands of Michigan children in need of a permanent home. In these uncertain times, we simply cannot ask these kids to wait any longer. We must act now.”

Cue the outrage from the religious right in 3….2….1….