press releaseDrawing of Gretchen Whitmer facing her desk signing Elliott-Larsen expansion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

News from Progress Michigan

March 16, 2023 

Contact: Lonnie Scott, lonnie@progressmichigan.org 

Michigan’s Pro-Equality Majority Celebrates Signing of Elliott-Larsen Expansion

Landmark civil rights initiative becomes law after years of advocacy from LGBTQ+ activists and allies 

MICHIGAN –– Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law an expanded version of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. In response Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan, issued the following statement

“It’s about damn time. Expanding the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity is the right thing to do and is what’s needed to make our state more welcoming and inclusive for everyone. It’s something that would have been done long ago, had bigoted, obstructionist Republicans not been in the way. The Democratic majority in Lansing hit the ground running when they took control in January, and it’s important to highlight how truly historic this moment is.  

“This is Michigan’s newly-elected, pro-equality majority in action. But we cannot forget the decades of painstaking advocacy from the queer and trans community who have fought for their freedom to live authentically and without fear of discrimination. 

“Today, history was made, but this is just the beginning for how we can ensure that LGBTQ+ folks can live safely and freely. Amid the baseless and immoral attacks from right-wing Republicans that continue to intensify each day, stepping up for the LGBTQ+ community is incredibly urgent right now.” 

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