Mayor Dobies joins Governor Whitmer, State Leaders In Calling For LGBTQ Protections to Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act
JACKSON, MI — Coinciding with the beginning of Pride Month, Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies today joined with Governor Whitmer and state legislators in supporting bills that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) as protected classes. These additions would prohibit discrimination in the LGBTQ community when it comes to being considered for housing, public accommodations, employment and more.
“Jackson has shown leadership in protecting our LGBTQ friends and neighbors,” said Mayor Derek Dobies. “We must remove the barriers of discrimination that takes away the freedom of opportunity for LGBTQ Michiganders, hurts our businesses and drives away talent. It’s time to protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination just like everyone else.”
In 2017, Dobies led efforts to pass Jackson’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance after a 20-year battle for passage. The challenged ordinance was upheld in court, and on, April 11, 2017, anti-LGBTQ discrimination became illegal in Jackson. Jackson joined over 40 other cities across Michigan that have steadily modernized their laws to protect all citizens over the past 50 years.
In his first year as Mayor, Dobies appointed an LGBTQ Liaison to the Mayor’s office, Julia Josling, who has worked with the Human Relations Commission to continue to build a more tolerant, inclusive city. She also became the first transgender individual ever appointed to a city commission.
“The work that we are doing in Jackson to show that we view diversity as a strength is important to showing that we are an open, welcoming community,” said Josling. “We simply ask that the protections we fought so hard for in Jackson are also reflected across Michigan.”
Dobies recently issued a proclamation declaring June as LGBTQ Pride Month in the City of Jackson. He plans to introduce a resolution at City Council on June 11th supporting the bills that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) as protected classes.
A video of the press event is available here: https://www.facebook.com/GovGretchenWhitmer/videos/330246031219428/
