LANSING—The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following statement today on behalf of MDP Chair Lavora Barnes in support of legislation being introduced by State Senator Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) and State Representatives Jon Hoadley (D-Kalamazoo) and Tim Sneller (D-Burton)that adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) as protected classes in Michigan:
“Nothing is more necessary to the progress of a people than equality. If any are held down, we are all held back, and that includes the current denial of equal protection under the law for citizens of Michigan’s LGBTQ community. By adding sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes, this legislation from State House and Senate Democrats extends critical protections to Michigan’s LGBTQ community that most residents can thankfully take for granted. We wholeheartedly support these bills and encourage both sides to seize upon the rare opportunity to pass laws that benefit not merely one party or another but unmistakably reaffirm our collective humanity as a people.”
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