Democrats in Lansing have introduced legislation that would add LGBT protections to Michigan’s civil rights law.
As we hear from The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Rick Pluta, they say they’re pushing the question in hopes of holding a vote on the legislation before the end of the year.
State Representative Sam Singh says support for updating Michigan’s civil rights law is building. Many businesses and education institutions have expressed support, and local governments have adopted similar ordinances.
“We’re now into September,” he says. “It’s really the time for this conversation to happen.”
Democrats and civil rights groups agreed to hold back the introduction for more than a year in hopes a Republican sponsor would step forward. But they say time is growing short.
Republican leaders say they’re not ready to take up the question without protections in the law for people who object to LGBT rights based on their religious beliefs.