Gov. Whitmer creates commission to address issues facing LGBTQ Michiganders

Published: Jun. 12, 2023, 7:10 a.m.
By Alyssa Burr|aburr@mlive.com

Photo credit: Gov. Whitmer at Motor City Pride, 2022. Photo: Andrew Potter

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced a first-of-its-kind statewide commission to tackle issues facing LGBTQ Michiganders.

Alongside Democratic state officials like Attorney General Dana Nessel and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Whitmer signed an executive order establishing Michigan’s LGBTQ Commission at Motor City Pride in Detroit on Sunday, June 11.

While Pride is a time for celebrating the achievements and legacy of the LGBTQ community, Whitmer said in a statement that steps need to be taken to “ensure that everyone has the freedom to be who they are in Michigan.”

“While other states are engaged in the business of bigotry, Michigan is standing up for the LGBTQ+ community,” Whitmer said.

The new commission comes just months after the state passed legislation amending the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include protections for LGBTQ Michiganders.

Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, who championed the expansion of the civil rights act for years, said the commission will build on decades of work to secure rights for LGBTQ residents.

“This is what recognition feels like, and this is what representative government looks and acts like,” Moss said. “After years of state leaders ignoring LGBTQ+ pride, suppressing our rights and policy needs, and raining on our parades, the rainbows are out and shining bright in Michigan now.”

The LGBTQ+ Commission will focus on issues related to health, safety, economic opportunity and talent retention for the LGBTQ community in Michigan.

Commissioners will advise the governor and the director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity on matters impacting LGBTQ residents, including “approaches to eradicate and prevent discrimination against Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community and its members, as well as to address other forms of inequality,” the executive order states.

Just last week, the Human Rights Campaign declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ people across the United States for the first time in its more than 40-year history.

The move comes as the activist organization documented more than 76 anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have been signed into law in 2023, more than double the amount signed last year; 2022 was previously considered the worst year on record for anti-LGBTQ legislation.

Gwen Stembridge, advocacy campaign manager for The Trevor Project, a nonprofit dedicated to LGBTQ suicide prevention, said she believes the commission will play a critical role in ensuring state policy is inclusive and addresses the unique needs of LGBTQ Michiganders.

“It is inspiring to see public recognition and support from Michigan’s leaders and elected officials on issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community through the creation of a statewide LGBTQ+ commission, particularly at a time when our community continues to face a record-breaking wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation and rhetoric across our country,” Stembridge said.

The commission will be comprised of representatives from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, who will serve as chair; the Michigan Department of Education; the Michigan Department of Civil Rights; and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The governor is also tasked with appointing individuals from a diverse range of communities, including a medical professional who provides care to LGBTQ people, a caregiver of an LGBTQ child, and members of the LGBTQ community itself.

Link to original article: https://www.mlive.com/politics/2023/06/gov-whitmer-creates-commission-to-address-issues-facing-lgbtq-michiganders.html