Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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June 01, 2022
WHEREAS, Michigan is home to an estimated 373,000 residents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+); and,
WHEREAS, Michigan’s LGBTQ+ residents contribute to the fabric of our society, hold positions across sectors of our economy, and live in every corner of our state; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan has been at the forefront of advancing civil rights for LGBTQ+ people beginning with the nation’s first non-discrimination ordinance passed in 1972 in East Lansing and the nation’s first Civil Rights Commission to independently recognize that discrimination “because of sex” includes sexual orientation and gender identity in 2018; and,
WHEREAS, I, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, called on the Legislature in my very first State of the State Address to pass legislation to expand the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, education, housing, and real estate as well as use of public accommodations and public services; and,
WHEREAS, I signed Executive Directive 2019-09 to expand these same protections for LGBTQ+ state employees and issued a statement in support of the Supreme Court’s historic ruling on LGBTQ+ protections, which deemed that the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals from discrimination based on sex; and,
WHEREAS, despite local non-discrimination protections and recent protections extended by the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, there exists no state or federal anti-discrimination laws to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from being fired, denied housing, or refused service; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan’s economic vitality depends upon welcoming people of diverse backgrounds, ending discrimination, as well as attracting and retaining top talent from around the world; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan must continue to support the rights of every citizen to experience equity and freedom from discrimination, and recognize the continued need for education and awareness to end discrimination and prejudice; and,
WHEREAS, June 2022 is the 53rd anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City, which is recognized as a catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ Civil Rights movement; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan celebrates LGBTQ+ individuals during this month, and we also recognize the important work that must be done across intersections of identity to create a more equitable state for all;
NOW, THEREFORE, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, and Garlin Gilchrist II, lieutenant governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim June 2022 as Pride Month and encourage everyone to stand against discrimination and reject violence toward LGBTQ+ individuals; to promote self-affirmation, dignity, and equity; and to continue to work toward building a community that promotes diversity, liberty, and justice for all.