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Michigan Senate Votes to Expand LGBTQ+ Rights!
Call State Representatives to Vote YES on HB 4003
On February 28th, the Michigan Senate voted to adopt Senate Bill 4 that would expand the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) to include rights of people from LGBTQ+ communities. YES! The ELCRA bans discrimination in employment, housing, and public services based on other categories such as: religion, race, color, national origen, age, sex, height, weight, and marital status. The Michigan Supreme Court ruled last year that discrimination based on sex includes sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Democratic controlled Senate refused to adopt a religious exemption amendment that would have allowed discrimination toward LGBTQ+ people under the guise of religious beliefs. Senator Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), who sponsored this bill, said "we are not asking for anything more than anyone else has but we are not going to accept anything less than full protection under the law". MUUSJN agrees with Senator Moss. Religion should be a source of love not an excuse for creating harm.
The next step for expanding LGBTQ+ rights is adoption of HB 4003 sponsored by Michigan Representative Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield). This bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee chaired by Representative Kelly Breen.
ACTIONS:
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Call or email your Michigan State Representative. Click HERE to get the phone and email of your state Representative. AND
- Call one or more members of the House Judiciary Committee (preferrably one with an "R" behind their name) listed below:
Rep. Kelly Breen (D) Chair: 517-373-2575
Rep. Kimberly Edwards (D) Majority Vice Chair: 517-373-0852
Rep. Andrew Fink (R) Minority Vice Chair: 517-373-1788
Rep. Tyrone Carter (D): 517-373-0154
Rep. Kara Hope (D): 517-373-8900
Rep. Noah Arbit (D):517-373-3816
Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D): 517-373-2277
Rep. Jason Hoskins (D): 517-373-1180
Rep. PenelopeTsemoglou (D): 517-373-2668
Rep. Pauline Wendzel (R): 517-373-1799
Rep. Douglas Wozniak (R): 517-373-0832
Rep. Pat Outman (R): 517-373-3436
Rep. Gina Johnsen (R): 517-373-1796
TALKING POINTS:
- All people deserve to be treated with respect;
- Both Republicans and Democrats voted to amend the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act to provide civil rights for our friends and family who are members of Michigan's LGBTQ+ community;
- I urge you to vote for YES on HB 4003. Providing religious exemptions that would allow
LGBTQ+ people to be discriminated against in the name of religion is just not right!
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