Whitmer, LGBTQ+ Activists, Gather for Celebratory Signing of Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Amendment
(Crystal A. Proxmire, May 22, 2023)
Ferndale, MI – “I almost didn’t run for office, because I wasn’t sure you could be black, and gay, and an elected official, at the same time,” said State Representative Jason Hoskins to a packed community center on Saturday afternoon. “When you live in a world where discrimination is a persistent reality, it makes you feel like you aren’t worthy to live your dreams.”
Hoskins was one of several officials who spoke at Affirmations Community Center in Downtown Ferndale. He and other officials and activists looked on with pride as Governor Gretchen Whitmer did a ceremonial signing of Senate Bill 4, which was officially signed on March 18. The bill amends the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976 which defines civil rights, prohibits discriminatory practices based upon religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status, and it established the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. It also protects people’s privacy in regard to arrest, detention and other disposition in which conviction does not result. Over the years it has grown to include height, weight, and job protection for pregnant women. Now it includes protection based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
That means that in Michigan someone cannot be fired for being gay or transgender. It means that one cannot be denied housing or services.
“Discrimination robs you of your dignity. It makes you feel like you are not worthy to live your dreams, and in the worst cases it makes you feel like you aren’t even worthy to live,” Hoskins said. “This is going to help so many people in our state. No longer here in Michigan will queer people have to force themselves to hide who they are simply because of the people they love.”
While the bill was official earlier this month, the celebration brings it home to a community known for it’s LGBTQ+ activism. Governor Whitmer joked that State Senator Jeremy Moss, who introduced the Bill in the Senate, told her she better come celebrate in Ferndale.
The community center was packed with generations of activists and allies, and the names of those who came before were said often by those who spoke.
“You showed up in the spirit of people who led this movement,” said State Senator of Jeremy Moss who also sponsored the bill, “The Jeff Montgomery’s, the Jim Toy’s, the Ruth Ellis’s, and so many others.”
“Last year market the 50th Anniversary of the very first Detroit Pride, called Christopher Street Detroit in 1972 when activists from out community organized in the streets,” Moss said. “We are engaging in the fights today that first propelled the start of our movement 50 years ago. I look at this very diverse crowd and I know a lot of you have seen some things and live through some things – elders in our community. LGBTQ people of color. The trans community, which has such an amplified target on their backs in this moment. But in Michigan we are not going backwards.”
Governor Whitmer stated she’s been calling for the Legislature to expand ELCRA since her first State of the State address. “Together we got it done Michigan,” she said.
State Representative Noah Arbit, of West Bloomfield, is also part of the LGBTQ Caucus in Lansing. He too spoke of the need to celebrate, but also to keep working. In addition to working on banning conversion therapy, Arbit mentioned other legislative efforts. “Believe it or not, we still have a ban on sodomy,” he said. “We are sponsoring legislation to repeal that ban and also coming up soon we’ve got legislation to transform Michigan from a national lagger to a national leader in hate crime prevention and prosecution, and I’m proud to be working with Attorney General Dana Nessel on that.”
“Where most states are promoting cruel and ignorant policies, Michigan is showing the world you can lead with your values and be economically strong and be a state that actually fights for people’s freedoms,” Whitmer said. “This is the time to celebrate… but we also know the work is never done, we cannot rest for a second.”
