Michigan Legislation to cement protections for LGBTQ people under Michigan’s civil rights law just took its first step towards becoming a reality after moving out of committee Thursday, Feb. 9.
The 5-1 decision to move Senate Bill 4— which would expand the 1976 Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) to include gender identity and sexual orientation— to a floor vote received roaring applause from a packed room of LGBTQ community members and their allies as they celebrated.
Prior attempts to pass the legislation saw zero movement under the previous Republican controlled Legislature.
Bill sponsor Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, said he’s overwhelmed by the historic moment.
“There have been so many people who have suffered for lack of recognition in this 50-year-old civil rights law,” Moss said. “To have sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in the law tells them Michigan is a place for them to call home.”
Several opponents of the bill, on the other hand, urged lawmakers to take another look at amending the legislation before passing it.
Religion is already a protected class in Michigan.
However, Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, issued an amendment he said was “designed to strike that balance between protecting religious consciousness and also protecting against discrimination.” His amendment was swiftly shot down by the majority Democrat committee.
Since becoming the majority, the Democratic-led state Senate and House have been eager to see the bill through to the end. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has also continuously voiced her support for the legislation and said she will sign it into law if it comes across her desk.
The ELCRA protects against discrimination based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status and marital status.
A 2022 Michigan Supreme Court decision found ELCRA prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation under the category of “sex.” Moss said his bill would clear up the law while providing additional resources for LGBTQ community members facing discrimination.