Michigan Passes LGBTQ-Inclusive Nondiscrimination Bill

metroweekly.com:

MLive Media Group.Democratic lawmakers — who control the legislature for the first time in 40 years following the 2022 election — spoke favorably of the bill, which was one of the first six pieces of legislation they introduced on the first day of this year’s legislative session.Taken together, those six bills provide a glimpse at the party’s economic and social agenda, which includes repealing a 1931 ban on abortion, repealing “right-to-work” laws, rolling back the retirement tax for seniors, and expanding the earned income tax credit.“No one should be afraid to go to work, or school, in fear of their safety,” openly gay Rep.

Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park) said of the nondiscrimination law, which liberals have argued is long overdue in a so-called “blue state” like Michigan.“It’s long past time for us to amend Michigan’s civil rights law so we can make our state a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of who they love or how they identify,” McFall added.Republicans offered a series of amendments to the bill seeking to carve out special exemptions for religious individuals or organizations, to drop gender identity from the bill, and to require individuals to use restrooms matching their assigned sex at birth.

Those amendments were ultimately rejected.Lawmakers who voted against the bill, such as Rep. Luke Meerman (R-Coopersville) claimed they did so not out of animus toward the LGBTQ community but concerns over religious protections for those with sincere beliefs opposed to homosexuality, same-sex marriage, or the concept of gender identity.“We must respect our neighbors and the values that guide them,” Meerman said.