It took Maryland legislators a decade to include sexual orientation in that state’s civil rights law. And openly gay politician Rep. Chris Kolb wants Michigan to join 13 of its cities that have adopted the amendment.
“It’s a 10-year-plus process,” the Ann Arbor Democrat said. “But it’s a necessity for the LGBT community to fight for our basic rights that everyone else has been handed.”
The state’s Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act doesn’t include sexual orientation among its provisions against discrimination.
Dawn Broderick, senior co-chairwoman for Michigan Pride, said education is key in legislative issues concerning lesbian, gay and transgender issues.
“We need to know what bills are going through, what to be aware of, what to be looking for,” she said.
“It’s important that we can stand on the Capitol steps and voice our opinions.
“We can’t lose that right. We’ve got to exercise it.”
Lansing’s annual Michigan Pride March, Rally & Festival allows advocates of sexual-orientation legislation to speak out. The last rally brought 12,000 LBGT community supporters who gathered at the Capitol for a civil rights rally.
Broderick said the rallies are meant to increase acceptance in Michigan by “providing awareness for the larger community.”
“The tone wasn’t angry, but it was urgent,” she said. “Our rights are slipping away.”
Mount Pleasant resident Michael Stemmeler has been attending since 1991.
“It’s kind of like preaching to the choir, but even the choir needs a pep talk once in awhile,” he said.
“A lot has to be done in the state of Michigan. Any kind of political education is great.”
Kolb said electing officials who will can pass legislation is a must.
“We need to get people aware that they have to be involved in the process,” he said. “There’s a lot at stake when you’re choosing the person that has the final say in a law.”
Ionia resident Amanda Castor is concerned with her and her partner’s inability to adopt children.
“A two-parent household is better than a single-parent house,” she said.
“It should depend on whether it’s a loving family.”
Until recently, a Washtenaw County judge allowed the practice of adoptions by unmarried couples.
Probate Judge Richard Shelton, the only Michigan judge allowing co-adoption by unmarried partners, was ordered to stop by a superior.
The American Civil Liberties Union challenged the decision, claiming Judge Archie Brown, who ordered Shelton to stop, lacks the authority to do so.
Kolb said the gay couple’s inability to adopt hurt the state from many angles.
“Michigan is trying to position itself as a high-tech, life-sciences state,” he said.
“To attract people wanting to work in that field of business, you want to attract a lot of diversity. You must have a state that’s welcoming to everybody.
“Michigan is not a welcoming state.”
