LANSING, Mich. — Two of Michigan’s first openly gay legislators and members of the Michigan Legislature’s LGBTQ Caucus, Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) and Rep. Jon Hoadley (D-Kalamazoo), issued the following statement regarding today’s decision from the U.S. Supreme Court that discrimination against LGBTQ employees on the basis of sex is unconstitutional:
“The Supreme Court validated what LGBTQ people already knew: that our lives have worth and our work provides value. For us personally, our political journeys in Michigan have been so intertwined and centered around advancing LGBTQ rights that we join with our community in celebration of this moment.
“We also remember our late friend Aimee Stephens, and the countless others who have suffered hardships make this landmark decision possible. Her courage, along with the other plaintiffs, ensure members of the LGBTQ community are not only heard, but protected under law.
“This decision — from a conservative-led court, no less — ought to propel the Michigan Legislature to carry on this work and extend these employment protections to those in Michigan facing housing and public accommodation discrimination. We have the legislation to do so in Senate Bill 351 and House Bill 4688, which would amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, and we welcome our colleagues to join us in celebrating Pride Month and embracing equality.”
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