Title
Resolution Calling on the Michigan Legislature to Ban Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Without Further Delay
Body
Whereas; Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, Public Act 453 of 1976, prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, public services and educational facilities based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status;
Whereas; Representative Jim Dressel (R-Holland) first introduced legislation in 1983 to extend the protection of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community;
Whereas; Thirty-one years later neither state nor federal law prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. As a result, it remains legal to fire someone solely for being gay or transgender, to deny someone housing based solely on their sexual orientation, and to refuse to serve someone based only on their gender identity;
Whereas; Ann Arbor's State Senator, Rebekah Warren recently proposed new language for the Elliott Larson Act that would make in fully inclusive, with gender identity and sexual orientation protections;
Whereas; Ann Arbor's State Representatives, Jeff Irwin and Adam Zemke, are co-sponsors for the companion bill in the State House;
Whereas; Michigan's own Department of Civil Rights has concluded that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Michigan "exists and is significant" and "has direct negative economic effects on Michigan" and has recommended that the Michigan Legislature expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include both sexual orientation and gender identity;
Whereas; Thirty-three Michigan cities have passed local civil rights ordinances banning discrimination based on both sexual orientation and gender identity, including the City of Ann Arbor in 1978;
Whereas; The City Council of Ann Arbor is ...
Click here for full text