LANSING –
In a near party-line vote, the Democratic-controlled Michigan House earlier on Wednesday approved two measures to address bias crimes – commonly referred to as hate crimes. The vote for both bills was 66 votes in favor, with 43 opposed.
The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled Senate. Similar legislation was moved on an 82-18 vote in the House last year, but died in the Senate without a hearing.
The legislation has faced stiff opposition from the American Family Association of Michigan, which claimed the bill would interfere with free speech rights and religious freedom of Michigan residents.
But the legislation was supported by the Michigan Prosecutors Association, the Michigan Sheriff Association, the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and a host of other groups.
Anti-bias crimes legislation OK'd by state House lawmakers
Read More
Michigan's Trans Migration Project Is Helping to Protect Trans People Just By Getting Them Somewhere Safe
A faith-based collective of partners across Michigan is shepherding out-of-state trans people to Michigan for the gender-affirming care and affirmation they [...]
Go Girl! Saugatuck Celebrates Women’s Weekend at Nation’s Largest Gay Resort
Women hearing the siren call of Lake Michigan may want to mark May 31-June 2 on their calendars. Those are the days that the largest gay resort in the country [...]
Michigan Democratic Party LGBT and Allies Caucus Holds Spring Meeting
One of the most often derided cliches of political journalism is to say “a lot is at stake in this election” but it is quite literally true this [...]
Why So Many Local Queer Folks Are Flocking to Mishpacha, Temple Beth Emeth’s Thriving LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
Ari Smith was a little worried when her rabbi called to ask her about something he was noticing in her part of the sanctuary during weekly services at Temple [...]
Why a Local Academic Is Fostering Queer Discussion and Community Through an Old-Fashioned Book Club
Queer books on public library shelves have come under fire across the country in recent years, but you wouldn’t know it at the Ypsilanti District Library [...]
Biden-Harris Campaign Launches LGBTQ+ Voter Initiative at Affirmations — How You Can Get Involved in the 2024 Election
The election season is officially heating up in Michigan, with a special focus on queer voters. On April 10, local and statewide community leaders and elected [...]
