Michigan ranks among the worst states for LGBTQ equality according to a report released by the Human Rights Campaign.
The annual report, called the State Equality Index, categorized Michigan as “High Priority to Achieve Basic Equality.”
Erin Knott is the Interim Executive Director at Equality Michigan. She said the state still lacks basic LGBTQ protections.
“If you’re gay, lesbian, bi, or transgender you can be fired at your job or discriminated against when you are looking for housing or not served a meal at a restaurant just because you identify as a member of the LGBTQ community.”
Knott said Governor Whitmer has granted LGBTQ protections for executive branch employees and workers on state contracts.
But, Knott said, the state House and Senate need to pass legislation that would give equal protections to LGBTQ persons statewide.
Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield has said he would not support expanding the state’s civil rights protections to LGBTQ people because he fears it would conflict with religious freedom.
Knott said she still sees an opportunity to convince the Speaker to support LGBTQ protections.
“The Speaker also said he doesn’t believe anybody should be discriminated against so we’re eager to sit down and talk with the speaker and talk about how discrimination happens every day across the state.”
Knott encourages members of the LGBTQ community to file discrimination complaints with the Michigan Civil Rights Commission.