The state has received a score of 64.7 percent according to a new report from Out Leadership—a global business network advocating on behalf of LGBTQ+ inclusive spaces. Here is Todd Sears explaining why Michigan received a low score.
“There is no ban on conversion therapy in Michigan for example, HIV criminalization is legal, and the opportunity for trans people to change their birth markers is not available unless they have surgery.”
The report score is based on 5 broad categories assessing LGBTQ+ people’s lived experiences. Michigan scored well when it came to political and religious attitudes, but low on health access and safety.
“Political and religious attitudes, interestingly, Michigan has 19.2 out of 20, where they fall down the most is around health access and safety is 6.5 out of 20 and that primarily deals with HIV criminalization.”
Michigan resident, Eleanor Moreno, says although the report accurately describes the experience of an LGBTQ person living in Grand Rapids, it is important to consider what that experience is for an LGBTQ person of color.
“How many of us, people of color, leaders, queer people of color who are leaders in this community and we are still not in rooms that we need to be in or get invited. That’s like everyday, and that really sucks.”
And although across the state of Michigan there is no legislation specifically protects LGBTQ people – a bill was introduced in June to amend the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Acts to protect LGBTQ people from employment discrimination.
Michelle Jokisch Polo, WGVU News.
