Over 65 Elected Officials LEAD for Equality in Michigan

Over 65 Elected Officials LEAD for Equality in Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Tuesday, April 3, 2012

 Contact: Sarah Kennedy, Unity Michigan,

 646-470-9507, sarahkkennedy@gmail.com  

Over 65 Elected Officials LEAD for Equality in Michigan

Leaders from across the state sign on to statement of support

LANSING – Today Unity Michigan announced that more than 65 local elected officials have signed on to the LEAD (Local Electeds Against Discrimination) statement, calling for gay and transgender-inclusive non-discrimination protections.

This follows Sen. Rebekah Warren’s announcement on March 22 that she would introduce legislation to amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include protections for gay and transgender people.

“It’s unacceptable that in 2012 here in Michigan, hardworking employees can be fired from their jobs just because of who they are,” said Nathan Triplett, East Lansing Mayor Pro Tem. “Forty years ago, East Lansing enacted the country’s first non-discrimination policy protecting gay residents. It’s past time for the rest of the state to catch up. We all have signed on to the LEAD statement because we’re ready for Michigan to be a welcoming, fair state.”

“This isn’t only about fairness and equality,” said Derek Dobies, newly elected Jackson City Council Member. “It’s about attracting and retaining that creative class that will help rebuild our economy. East Lansing blazed a path of protecting fairness and diversity that communities like Jackson can follow. So can Michigan. Until then, LEAD will continue to grow and local communities will continue to do their part in promoting a diverse, vibrant Michigan.”

According to the latest polling, 65% of Michigan voters support protections such as these. (Source:http://dontchangeyourself.com/Quinlan2011.pdf)

“It’s encouraging to see such a large number of our local elected officials, from Saginaw to Ypsilanti, Ingham County to Holland, come together to take a stand for gay and transgender Michiganders,” said Denise Brogan-Kator, executive director of Equality Michigan. “It’s now time for our elected officials in the legislature to step up, acknowledge Michigan’s core values of fairness and equal treatment for all, and move forward on amending the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.”

A full list of signers, and the statement, is below. Elected officials who would like to join LEAD should visit www.unitymichigan.org/LEAD

The Unity Michigan Coalition works to ensure that all Michiganders are treated fairly by advancing non-discrimination policies. The Unity Michigan Coalition includes the ACLU of Michigan, Affirmations, Equality Michigan, KICK, the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion, and the Ruth Ellis Center.

STATEMENT

Local Electeds Against Discrimination (LEAD)

“We, the undersigned elected officials from across the State of Michigan, proudly stand together in support of non-discrimination protections for gay and transgender residents.

All hardworking people in our state, including those who are gay or transgender, should have the chance to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. No one should have to live in fear that they could be legally fired for reasons that have nothing to do with their job performance – especially in this uncertain economic climate.

We personally know many gay and transgender people living in our cities who actively contribute to their communities, are model employees, and should be treated fairly and equally just like all other Michigan residents.

We are proud that 18 cities across our state have put non-discrimination protections into law, and we urge our colleagues, not just in other cities, but our colleagues in both houses of the state legislature, to enact similar legislation. Diversity helps to keep our cities strong, and our gay and transgender residents are a part of that diversity.

We know that young, bright, creative-minded professionals are more likely to choose places that foster diversity and inclusion. They are just the kind of workers, thinkers, and doers that Michigan needs to help revitalize our economy.

We are proud to stand for non-discrimination protections, at the municipal, state, and at the federal level. That’s why we’re pushing for the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to be amended to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. That’s why we’re doing all we can to foster diversity and inclusion in our cities. And that’s why we are proud to be Michiganders.”

LIST OF SIGNERS

A’Lynne Robinson, City Council, Lansing

 

Andy Helmboldt, City Commission, Battle Creek

 

Andy Schor, County Commission, Ingham County

 

Annie Boensch, City Council, Saginaw

 

Robert Cinabro, City Commission, Kalamazoo

 

Bobby Hopewell, Mayor, Kalamazoo

 

Brenda Lawrence, Mayor, Southfield

 

Brian McGrain, County Commission, Ingham County

 

Carol Koenig, County Commission, Ingham County

 

Carol Wood, City Council, Lansing

 

Chris Swope, City Clerk, Lansing

 

Craig Covey, County Commission, Oakland County

 

Curtis Hertel, Register of Deeds, Ingham County

 

Dan Martin, City Council, Ferndale

 

David Anderson, City Commission, Kalamazoo

 

David Buskirk, County Commission, Kalamazoo

 

David Coulter, Mayor, Ferndale

 

David Hoekstra, City Council, Holland

 

Dayne Walling, Mayor, Flint

 

Deb Nolan, County Commission, Ingham County

 

Debbie DeLeon, County Commission, Ingham County

 

Derek Dobies, City Council, Jackson

 

Diane Goddeeris, Mayor, East Lansing

 

Don Cooney, City Commission, Kalamazoo

 

Don Power, City Council, East Lansing

 

Donna Rich Kaplowitz, Trustee, East Lansing Board of Education

 

Eric Schertzing, Treasurer, Ingham County

 

Flo Hayman, City Council, New Baltimore

 

Fred Miller, County Commission, Macomb County

 

George Heartwell, Mayor, Grand Rapids

 

Helaine Zack, County Commission, Oakland County

 

Jenny Suidan, Trustee, White Lake Library Board

 

Jeremy Moss, City Council, Southfield

 

Jessica Yorko, City Council, Lansing

 

Jim Carruthers, City Council, Traverse City

 

Jim Ellison, Mayor, Royal Oak

 

Jim Rasor, City Commission, Royal Oak

 

Jody Washington, City Council, Lansing

 

John Hieftje, Mayor, Ann Arbor

 

Jonathan Byrd, Chairman, Kellogg Community College

 

Julie Brixie, Township Treasurer, Meridian Township

 

Karen Majewski, Mayor, Hamtramck

 

Kathie Dunbar, City Council, Lansing

 

Ken Siver, City Council, Southfield

 

Kevin Beard, City Council, East Lansing

 

Kim Jaquish, City Council, Jackson

 

Kyle DuBuc, City Commission, Royal Oak

 

Laura Schlecte, City Council, Jackson

 

Lynn Ochberg, Trustee, Meridian Township

 

Marcia Gershenson, County Commission, Oakland County

 

Mark Grebner, County Commission, Ingham County

 

Mark Miller, Trustee, Kalamazoo Township

 

Melanie Piana, Mayor Pro Tem, Ferndale

 

Mike Lennon, City Council, Ferndale

 

Nathan Triplett, Mayor Pro Tem, East Lansing

 

Patrice Johnson, City Council, Muskegon Heights

 

Paul Schreiber, Mayor, Ypsilanti

 

Penelope Tsernoglou, County Commission, Ingham County

 

Rebecca Bahar-Cook, County Commission, Ingham County

 

Scott Craig, Trustee, Northville Public Schools

 

Scott Galloway, City Council, Ferndale

 

Stephanie Bell, City Commission, Kalamazoo

 

Tina Houghton, City Council, Lansing

 

Todd Tennis, County Commission, Ingham County

 

Virg Bernero, Mayor, Lansing

 

Zack Stanton, City Council, New Baltimore

Are you an elected official wants to sign on to LEAD? Click here: http://unitymichigan.org/LEAD