Michigan should become a leader as far as equal rights are concerned. And the time is never better than now.

Maybe then support for equality would become a national trend. Because now there seems to be nationwide opposition toward justly treating all people.

In 1977, orange juice spokeswoman Anita Bryant successfully led a drive to repeal an ordinance protecting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trangender community from discrimination in Miami-Dade County, Fla. And people there are leading her charge again to strike down a similar 1998 county law.

Equal-rights activists also are fighting similar measures on the November ballot in Tacoma, Wash., and Ypsilanti.

Florida is one of 38 states, including Michigan, without a law banning discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity. That’s wrong.

Cases like the repeal measure in Miami-Dade County and other efforts to stifle equal rights measures across the country only indicate the greater need to move forward and prompt more protective legislation.

Legislators need to move forward and find strong solutions to let the public know that discriminating on the bases of sexual orientation or gender identity will not be tolerated in a country founded on the principle that every person is entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Many equal-rights opponents say anti-discrimination legislation is about the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community receiving special treatment, but those claims are misguided. It is a matter of equal treatment.

As Election Day approaches, those who are running for Michigan office need to realize the dire need to step forward to combat hate and promote equality.

The state House of Representatives introduced three bills in 2001 addressing discrimination or assault based on sexual orientation, but they went nowhere. They need to go somewhere - the governor’s desk.

House Bill 4661 would amend the state’s Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, public accommodations, education and housing. House Bill 4662 is a bill that would amend Michigan’s ethnic intimidation laws to include sexual orientation and classify any hate crime as a felony. And House Bill 4746 would require schools to adopt policies prohibiting harassment, intimidation or bullying at school.

Michigan lawmakers need to be leaders on the national scene by following the example of 13 Michigan cities that already outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation and forbid hate crimes.

East Lansing has included sexual orientation in its civil rights ordinances since 1981, and in March, city officials revised laws further to include gender identity.

MSU has taken a few steps forward, becoming one of seven public universities in the state to offer benefits for its employees’ domestic partners. Now, it needs to include gender identity in its policies.

It’s time for Michigan policy-makers to step up to the plate and ensure their citizens’ rights to happiness.