Throughout Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s fifth State of the State address Wednesday night, she drew connections between the many civil rights issues she has championed for years and the need to strengthen the state’s economy. 

“Bigotry is bad for business,” Whitmer said before receiving a standing ovation from the crowd of lawmakers and state leaders.

“The other half of attracting and retaining young people is standing up for their freedoms,” Whitmer said.

She called on repealing the state’s 1931 abortion ban, which is now moot after voters passed Proposal 3 in November and codified reproductive freedom in the state Constitution.

“We thank the governor for her ongoing support of expanding access to sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion, so that all Michiganders can get essential health care when and where they need it,” said Nicole Wells Stallworth, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan. “Reproductive freedom is now permanently enshrined in our state constitution, but there’s still work to be done to break down remaining barriers to care and to remove unnecessary laws from our books. We are grateful to have the Governor’s ongoing support and partnership in this urgent work.”

Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) and Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) introduced legislation this month to repeal the 92-year-old abortion ban.

“Prop 3 is so amazing and I’m so glad that we have it in place, but we also need to work on getting rid of other types of restrictions that prevent some people from accessing not just abortion care, but also other forms of reproductive health care,” Pohutksy said.

Whitmer also called on lawmakers to pass legislation to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA). The state Supreme Court ruled in July that the ELCRA prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.

State Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) and state Rep. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield) introducedlegislation earlier this month that would codify into law protections for the LGBTQ+ community against discrimination.

“Protecting these freedoms is the right thing to do and it’s just good economics,” Whitmer said. “I’ll go to any state that restricts people’s freedoms and win business and hardworking people from them.”

The Michigan Chamber, which has deep ties to Republicans, had broken with other business groups that had long supported adding LGBTQ+ to the civil rights law. But the chamber is now on board as the legislation is likely to become law. 

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and on 01/26/2023 the starter of this Petition received notice of acknowledgement of a formal civil Rights complaint with the Michigan Department of civil rights against Spring Arbor University.  MDCR Case#: 630772

thank you everyone who has stood by civil rights!!!  Let’s keep the pressure applied and push government officials for reform!!!