Public comment is now open for whether you think the state should clarify language in Michigan’s civil rights act.
Some say the law is vague when it comes to whether sexual orientation and gender identity are protected.
Many LGBT activists want the Michigan Civil Rights Commission to issue guidelines. Those guidelines would state that sexual orientation and gender identity are protected against discrimination under the state’s civil rights law.
The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act lists attributes people can’t discriminate for – like race, religion and sex.
Jay Kaplan is with the ACLU of Michigan. He says gender identity can be interpreted under the broader term “sex.”
“There have been federal courts that have viewed discrimination against LGBT people to be a form of sex discrimination because it’s based on gender stereotyping.”
He says they aren’t asking for any changes to state law.
“What we’re really asking is for our state Civil Rights Commission to do something that is consistent with what federal courts have done and what federal agencies have done.”
Agustin Arbulu is the executive director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.
“Sex has not been thoroughly defined by the commission. Though there has been an unwritten narrow approach taken to the definition of sex.”
The commission is taking public comments on the issue before taking further action. Public comments are open starting Tuesday until August 15th.