LANSING, Mich. _ Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan lawmakers kicked off LGBTQ Pride Month on Tuesday by announcing legislation to amend Michigan's civil rights law to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and sexual identity.
Lawmakers and supportive groups say they are hopeful because, for the first, time, they have co-sponsors from each party and a governor who strongly supports the change.
In fact, the news conference was held in Whitmer's ceremonial Capitol office, with the governor standing alongside groups such as Fair Michigan, Equality Michigan and Pride at Work Michigan.
"This is a group effort and it's important for every one of us in Michigan," said Whitmer, a Democrat.
Real opportunity and protection for all citizens is crucial to make Michigan a thriving state, she said.
"In the year 2019, nobody should be fired from their job or evicted from their home based on who they love or how they identify," Whitmer said.
Efforts in recent years to amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights act to protect sexual orientation and sexual identify have been stalled in the Republican-controlled Legislature by insistence from some lawmakers that such a change be tied to a law that sets out religious exemptions _ such as a baker who doesn't want to prepare a wedding cake for a gay couple, citing religious beliefs.
In January, Whitmer signed an executive directive to strengthen prohibitions against LGBTQ discrimination in state employment, contracting and provision of services.
State Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, said Tuesday was "a historic morning for all of us," and he's more hopeful than ever the state law will be amended.
