Michigan Legislature approves LGBTQ+ protections after 40-year campaign [Video]

LANSING, Mich. (SBG) — Legislation that would write protections for LGBTQ+ Michiganders into the state’s civil rights act is on its way to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk for a guaranteed signature.

On Wednesday, the Michigan House passed Senate Bill 4, which adds protections for sexual orientation and gender identity and expression into the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976. The act already lists protected classes in the state as “religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status,” meaning anyone who fits into those classes cannot be discriminated against in their jobs, education, housing or public accommodations.

The bill passed 64-45, with eight Republicans joining all Democrats. The Senate passed the legislation 23-15 in an historic vote last Wednesday.

Opponents to the legislation in the Senate, all of which were Republicans, said they were concerned that the added protections for the LGBTQ+ community would infringe upon the rights of …