I am a grandmother in Michigan whose grandchildren are the sunshine of my life. Unfortunately, due to personal circumstances, I am being denied the right to see them. My daughter was in a same-sex relationship for six years. Together, they had three beautiful children through a common donor. These children, age ranging between one and four. When their relationship ended, the birth mother relinquished all of her parental rights. My daughter, the sole caretaker, adopted the children and we all lived together as a family under my roof. 

Then, my daughter found a new partner. As things between my daughter's partner and I worsened, I found myself cut off. My daughter was commanded by her partner not to let me see my grandchildren. This should not be a personal matter anymore - it's a civil rights issue. The rights of grandparents in Michigan need to be recognized and protected.

The state of Michigan currently does not have a clear legal precedent that secures and upholds the rights of grandparents like myself. What I am proposing is an amendment to the existing child custody laws to unequivocally include grandparents’ rights to visitation. Courts across the country have long recognized the invaluable bond between grandparents and their grandchildren. Pew Research Center found that 48% of grandparents provide care for their grandchildren. They, who are such an integral part of their grandchildren's lives, deserve legal recognition and protection.

I urge you to sign this petition to establish legal rights for grandparents in Michigan. Let's ensure that no grandparent is denied access to their grandchildren due to personal feuds or disagreements. Every Grandparent's right to see their grandchild should be recognized and protected. Please sign this petition, let's make a difference for all grandparents in Michigan.