For so many of us this is the best time of year. It’s a time when we can celebrate the leaders and warriors for justice that made pride month possible. It’s a time when many of us wrap our arms around our found families and our partners. It’s a time to remember loved ones and friends that have passed. Most importantly it’s a time to rejoice and recharge. While this year’s pride has been long fought for, the forces that threaten our community remain. As a result, while this is a time for great joy it is also a time that requires us all to have greater resolve.
What strikes me about this year’s pride month is how different it is depending on where you live. Here in Michigan we are fortunate to have leaders in government that not only prioritize our community but have a large delegation of representatives from it. Together they helped to ensure the expansion of our civil rights laws to include protections from the LGBTQ+ community. Leaders from our community walk the halls of government and have more than a seat at the table. In many cases we lead the conversation at the table.
Yet, there are millions of people all over this great country that fear for their own safety and for that of their loved ones. They fear being fired from work or denied housing because of who they are. They worry about proper access to health care and support from law enforcement to ensure their safety. I remind you of this not to dampen this month’s celebrations but to bolster your resolve. We have won many victories in the name of equality here in Michigan and we should all be proud of that work. However the battle for all of our futures is not over. So let’s celebrate pride today and get back to work tomorrow. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We can and will be a model for equality and justice for the entire nation. Happy pride and let’s finish the job!
-Roland Leggett
Michigan Democratic Party LGBT&A Caucus Chair
Get involved with the LGBT & Allies Caucus
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- Expanded the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
- Introduced legislation to ban conversion therapy
for minors. - Created Michigan’s first LGBTQ+ Advisory Commission [Read more]
Paid for by the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee | 606 Townsend St. | Lansing, MI 48933 | www.michigandems.com
