Gay Rights Legislation Introduced

Legislation has been introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives to effectively expand the state’s civil rights law to the LGBT community. Sponsors say the measure protects Michigan residents in cases involving employment, housing and public accommodations if they’re discriminated against because of the “sexual orientation” or “gender identity or expression.”
Efforts to include sexual orientation in the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights act, have been made, unsuccessfully, for more than 30 years. Co-sponsors of the proposal include all members of the Michigan Democratic Caucus, as well as one independent. House Republican Speaker Jase Bolger wasted no time in announcing his opposition to the proposal. He says expanding protections to sexual orientation is wrong, because it might force some to violate their religious beliefs.