“I’m so proud that Michiganders April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse played a historic role in today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that recognizes marriage equality across this country.
“I’m glad this issue reached its ultimate conclusion through our judicial system because minority communities shouldn’t be forced to wage campaigns and depend upon a public vote to earn equal protection under the law. Civil rights should be self-evident and unalienable, not dictated by popular opinion on a given Election Day.
“Even though the Supreme Court, at long last, has declared that the 2004 vote to ban same sex marriage in Michigan is unconstitutional, the struggle for full equality for LGBT Michiganders is sadly far from over. A gay Michigan couple could get married this weekend and be fired next week because of it.
“It is time that the State Legislature expand the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act to include legal protections for those facing discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. I call on my colleagues to join me and demand swift action on House Bill 4538.”