Legislation would codify court ruling in Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 11, 2023 — Michigan House Democrats unveiled the first set of bills of the 2023-24 legislative term that sets the stage for what to expect with a Democratic majority. State Rep. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield) introduced House Bill 4003, which would expand civil rights protections to include members of the LGBTQ+ community.
“Michigan needed to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include the LGBTQ+ community decades ago,” Hoskins said. “Our job as legislators is to pass laws that ensure the rights of ALL Michiganders are protected and respected. We must ensure equal access to protection under the law for all if we are to attract the best and brightest to our state.”
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled last year that discrimination on the basis of sex includes sexual orientation and gender identity. House Bill 4003 codifies the court ruling and protects people who identify as LGBTQ against discrimination based on their sexual orientation when they pursue employment, education, housing, and other opportunities or freedoms.
“Michigan will not be a place where people want to live, work and thrive if we do not ensure fundamental rights and protections for ALL,” Hoskins continued. “We need to make it clear that our state will no longer tolerate discrimination of any kind against people simply because of who they are or whom they love.”
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