First, Michigan essentially tells an unmarried family to get married or pay a fine for having a child (read the original story here).  Then, hundreds of people say horrible things about the family (read the follow-up story here).

AtMP keeps a watchful eye on government efforts to promote marriage, and this is about the most coercive state action we have seen.  As executive director Nicky Grist said, "It is despicable that the state would wave medical bills like a shotgun in the face of a low-income but otherwise stable family, forcing them to choose marriage or bankruptcy.  They are already raising three children together.   What interest could the state possibly have in rocking this delicately balanced boat?"

AtMP was founded to highlight and combat this type of marital status discrimination.  We need your help to combat the mean-spirited, personal attacks that are flooding the media comment lines.  Please tell the media you support a family's right to choose whether and when to marry!