We, as citizens of the state of Michigan, Petition to remove Section 8 of Senate Bill #0137, also known as the 'Moral/Religious conviction claus', in regards to recent Michigan 'Anti-Bullying' legislation passed on November 2nd, 2011.

This claus, provides an unconstitutional platform in which the state government has the authority to uphold the religious affiliations and beliefs held by an individual. As we know, the United States was founded on the separation of church and state.This claus allows bullying of LGBTQI individuals if the individual harassing another student is providing the harassment based on 'religious or moral' convictions.

Regardless of this specific bill's intent to protect students, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians from bullying, the bill includes a claus (Section 8) that still allows for individuals to to justify discrimination if it is "based on a moral or religious conviction." We cannot continue to allow religious affiliations to impede upon our quest for peace and prosperity. We will not allow for our representatives to provide a platform in which religion can be recognized by a court of law, or by any school that is funded by tax-dollars.

It is our hope to strive for equality and safety of all people including students and their peers regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender, class, socio-economic status, and religious/non-religions beliefs.

We ask that the claus allowing individuals to justify discrimination based on moral or religious conviction be removed from Michigan Senate Bill #0137. Thank you.

Governor Rick Snyder contact information below.

Governor Rick Snyder
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909

PHONE: (517) 373-3400
PHONE: (517) 335-7858 - Constituent Services
FAX:(517) 335-6863