With bi-partisan support, the Michigan Senate is formally recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month.
A resolution to recognize June as PRIDE month has been introduced into the Michigan legislature every year for the last seven years. But it often failed to make it out of committee during that time.
On Thursday, state Senators adopted the resolution with 16 Senate Democrats and two Senate Republicans signing on as co-sponsors.
One of them was Democrat Jeremy Moss who represents the 11th District and is Michigan’s first openly gay state Senator. He says there has always been a roadblock from the Republican majority in years past.
“So even just getting this recognition has been a long journey," Moss said. "But at long last today, we were able to pass this resolution and giving a lot of validity and dignity to the LGBTQ people who call Michigan home".
Moss says he’s hopeful this resolution will propel Michigan lawmakers to pass legislation securing LGBTQ rights in the state’s civil rights law.
“Fortunately, today, a small symbolic sign, but a significant one, that the legislature acknowledges our contributions to the state of Michigan to and the struggle up until now," Moss said.
A similar resolution also passed Thursday in the Michigan House.