Carrie Rheingans, Running for Michigan State House of Representatives, District 47
2024 Election Pride Source Candidate Survey Response
The 2024 Pride Source Media Voters Guide Candidate Survey sought the responses from Michigan candidates running for office in the Nov. 5 election. We asked candidates to respond to key issues impacting the Michigan LGBTQ+ community and about their visions for the future. Visit vote411.org to learn more about the candidates and issues on your ballot.
Candidate: Carrie Rheingans
Running for Michigan State House of Representatives, District 47
Incumbent? Yes
Campaign Contact Info
(734) 417-2537
carrierheingans.com
Instagram: rheingans4rep
TikTok: reprheingans
Facebook: Rheingans4Rep
Twitter/X: RepRheingans
Candidate background
Education:
MSW, University of Michigan School of Social Work, 2011, MPH, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 2011, BS in Biology and German, University of Michigan, 2005
Professional experience:
State Representative, Project Director at Michigan Public Health Institute, Lecturer at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, Project Manager for the Washtenaw Health Initiative and Community Implementation, Washtenaw County Board of Health member, health policy expert, wife, and mom.
What is your affiliation with the LGBTQ+ community?
I have long been a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, with many people that I love being members of the community. One of the fun facts about me is that I officiated some of the first same-sex weddings in the state of Michigan!
Tell us about your top priorities and how you plan to achieve those goals.
My top priorities are: healthcare - expanding access, increasing quality, and decreasing costs paid by everyday Michiganders; fighting to keep and strengthen rights - LGBTQ+ rights, abortion rights, workers' rights, voting rights, and renters rights; implementing policy that will retain and grow our state's workforce - improved working conditions, affordable childcare, and affordable housing
In every professional role that I have had, my philosophy has always been to have impacted people in the discussions about how we address the problems that they are facing. To achieve these goals, I will continue to welcome all stakeholders in these discussions and intentionally seek out and elevate the voices of those that have historically not been given a seat at the table.
Why are you the best candidate for this position?
As a health policy expert, educator, and community organizer, I have decades of experience bringing people and organizations together to tackle complex systems issues that improve equity and reduce disparities. This experience prepared me very well to be a legislator working to address complex systems issues at the state-level. I am also the only legislator in Lansing with a Master of Public Health, which I feel is a very important perspective to provide, as we continue to face the issues resulting from a once-in-a-century global pandemic and address other public health issues that have been largely ignored by the legislature for years.
How do you plan to represent and advocate for the needs of LGBTQ+ community members?
I am so incredibly proud that I was able to vote to codify protections for LGBTQ+ Michiganders into the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and to ban the practice of “conversion therapy,” but the fight for equality continues. All over the country, and also among colleagues of mine on the other side of the aisle, we are hearing amplified rhetoric attacking the LGBTQ+ community, including trans children. This is UNACCEPTABLE. As a state, we must be judged on how we treat the most vulnerable amongst us. If children are afraid to be
themselves, or are afraid of what danger their elected officials might do, we have failed in our job. I want to return to Lansing to continue to fight this rhetoric and codify even more protections for the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ Michiganders need to know that their government works for them too.
State your position on transgender rights and how your office would work to protect this vulnerable population — particularly Black trans women, who are overrepresented in stats related to violence, the judicial system, homelessness, substance abuse and other serious issues.
I am firmly committed to protecting the rights of the trans community. I will use my office to support legislation that prevents discrimination against the community and legislation that makes it easier for trans folks to be able to get the vital healthcare that they need. As an example, I would absolutely support legislation that would have Medicaid cover gender affirming care for those who need it.
Homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth and young adults is a persistent issue in Michigan. How would your office make a positive impact for young LGBTQ+ people facing housing insecurity?
Addressing homelessness and housing insecurity for LGBTQ+ youth, and Michiganders more generally, are among my top priorities. The lack of affordable housing and the rising cost of rent have exacerbated these issues. This term, I introduced legislation that would allow local governments to institute rent control policies if they so choose. I will reintroduce that bill next term and support both legislation that prohibits discrimination in housing and appropriations that increase funding to organizations in the state helping to address homelessness and housing insecurity.
State your position on abortion and other issues related to women’s reproductive health.
I firmly believe that abortion care is healthcare, and that the decision to have an abortion should be left between a person and their doctor. The government has absolutely no business telling anyone what they can or can't do with their own body. I was proud to codify abortion rights into our state's constitution this term, and I will continue to fight to ensure that abortion care remains safe and legal in the state of Michigan.
How do you feel about drag queens?
I love drag queens!
On Marriage Equality: After the overturning of Roe v Wade, many question if the U.S. Supreme Court will revisit their 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision. Would you support any legislation that undermines the rights of same-sex couples to marry? (Yes or No — feel free to elaborate)
Absolutely not. As I said before, I helped to officiate some of the first same-sex marriages in the state of Michigan. Before the Supreme Court even gets the chance to revisit Obergefell, I believe the State of Michigan should proactively codify same-sex marriage into our State law.
On K-12 School Curriculum: States such as Florida have passed legislation preventing teachers, counselors and coaches from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity with their students, dubbed "Don't Say Gay" bills. Other states have passed legislation requiring LGBTQ+ inclusion in K-12 curricula, often determined by the local school district to determine how to effectively integrate learning materials throughout.
Michigan currently has neither a ban nor a requirement. Would you support legislation requiring Michigan schools to teach about LGBTQ+ people and identities in history and social sciences? (Yes or No — feel free to elaborate)
Yes, I would definitely support legislation requiring Michigan to teach about LGBTQ+ people and identities in history and social science classes.
How would your office help people struggling financially?
Folks can always call or email my office. If we are able, we do everything we can to help people navigate state agencies and get what they need from the State of Michigan. As a Millennial parent, I know the challenges of making ends meet with rising housing costs, student loans, and high childcare costs. In Lansing, I always keep working families front of mind and advocate for policies that will improve their lives.
Visit vote411.org and michiganvoting.org to learn about the candidates and issues on your ballot and to make a voting plan.
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