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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*    June 1, 2024    Contact: [email protected]   

   

*Governor Whitmer Signs Proclamation Declaring June as Pride Month* 

 

*Lansing, MICH. -- *Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation marking June as Pride Month in Michigan.  

 

“Michigan will always be a place where everyone has the freedom to be who they are and love who they love,” said *Governor Whitmer*. “As a proud, lifelong ally, I am grateful to celebrate Pride Month and celebrate the work we’ve done to protect the LGBTQ+ community. Since I took office, we expanded the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to cover the LGBTQ+ community, established the Michigan LGBTQ+ Advisory Council, and banned conversion therapy for minors. Our work is not done, but every year, we make progress to move Michigan forward. Let’s keep getting it done.” 

 

“We have a lot to be proud of this Pride Month in Michigan, especially as protections for the LGBTQ community were finally enshrined this year in the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act," said *state Senator Jeremy Moss *(D-Southfield). “Our Democratic majority is ensuring that Michigan is a place where you can earn a living and raise a family, freely and authentically as your true self. As we celebrate our hard-fought legislative successes this month, we must continue to remember that Pride Month began not as a celebration but a liberation against decades of harassment and discrimination. The work toward full equality endures.” 

 

“I am proud to work alongside both a Legislature and governor who continue to defend LGBTQ+ rights across Michigan. We are continuously working toward creating stronger protections to validate and support members of the LGBTQ+ community across our state and fight against bigotry in all its forms,” said *Speaker Pro Tempore Laurie Pohutsky* (D-Livonia). 

 

“As the celebration of Pride Month begins, I am proud to be part of our work to defend the rights of LGBTQ+ Michiganders,” said *state Rep. Emily Dievendorf* (D-Lansing). “No one should ever have to hide who they are or whom they love. We have come a long way and continue to make progress, but we also continue to acknowledge the work that lies ahead to ensure these rights remain protected.” 

  

“This Pride Month, I’m thinking about Michigan’s vibrant LGBTQ+ communities. From grassroots efforts for positive change to local celebrations, Michiganders have so much to celebrate this year,” said *state Rep. Jason Morgan* (D-Ann Arbor). “It is with great joy that I reaffirm the Michigan Legislature and governor’s commitment to not only ensuring the fundamental rights and safety of our LGBTQ+ communities, but creating opportunities for us to flourish.” 

 

“As political forces across the country have targeted the rights of LGBTQ+ communities, Michigan is proud to be home to a Legislature and a governor committed to standing up for LGBTQ+ Michiganders, defending our rights, and combating anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes,” said *state Rep. Noah Arbit* (D-West Bloomfield). 

  

“From expanding protections in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and banning conversion therapy to updating parentage and surrogacy laws, this Legislature has made real strides on issues that acutely affect LGBTQ+ Michiganders,” said *state Rep. Mike McFall* (D-Hazel Park). “Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate progress and reenergize for the work ahead. I look forward to continued accomplishments as we work to make Michigan an even more welcoming and inclusive state for all.”  

 

“It’s more important than ever to make ourselves heard, and Pride Month is a key part of that,” said *state Rep. Jason Hoskins* (D-Southfield), who is the first openly gay person of color to serve in the Michigan Legislature. “This pride month, I invite you to honor and celebrate the legacy of the LGBTQ+ community, including the many groundbreaking contributions from people of color.” 

 

“Governor Whitmer continues to be a champion of the LGBTQ+ community in Michigan with policy, investments, and understanding,” said *Erin Knott, Executive Director, Equality Michigan*. “In addition to issuing a proclamation marking June as Pride Month, Governor Whitmer was the first governor in Michigan to fly the Pride Flag. With the continued onslaught of bigotry, it is imperative that we protect the human rights of all Michiganders, especially our members in the LGBTQ+ community.”  

 

“Celebrating pride is more than just a series of events; it is a reflection of the strides we have made towards equality and the relentless pursuit of a more inclusive society,” said *Brandon Shamoun, M.Ed. **LGBTQ+ Commission Vice Chair*. “From increased employment protections to accessible transgender healthcare, Michigan has actively championed LGBTQ+ rights, fostering an environment where everyone can live without fear of discrimination. These collective efforts not only highlight our progress but also inspire a future where every individual can embrace their identity proudly.” 

 

“Pride Month is a vibrant celebration of all the courageous individuals who live their truth and the unwavering allies who champion LGBTQ+ human rights,” said *Raúl Hernández-Guzmán, LGBTQ+ Commission Administrative Chair, Office of Global Michigan*. “As a proud Latino member of the LGBTQ+ Community, I want to start Pride Month by extending a heartfelt thank you to Governor Whitmer, whose immense support and steadfast dedication to Michiganders have been a pillar to our LGBTQ+ community. Happy Pride Month!” 

 

*Governor Whitmer’s Actions to Protect the LGBTQ+ Community*   


* Established first-ever statewide LGBTQ+ commission [ [link removed] ] to address issues facing Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community 
* Amended the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act [ [link removed]. ] to reaffirm and expand protections for sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, ensuring no one can be fired from their jobs or evicted from their home for who they love or how they identify.  
* Filed an amicus brief [ [link removed] ] in the Michigan Supreme Court arguing the language of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination [ [link removed] ] based on sexual orientation. Michigan Supreme Court issued a ruling agreeing that the Act provides protections for sexual orientation.  
* Opposed and committed to veto any anti-trans legislation [ [link removed] ] that hits her desk. 
* Signed [ [link removed] ] an executive directive to strengthen protections against discrimination in state employment, including for gender identity or expression and sexual orientation. This directive extended those protections to the employees of anyone doing business with the state too. 
* Signed [ [link removed] ] an executive directive to prohibit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to use any state and federal funds for conversion therapy on minors. It also requires any department or agency that regulates, provides, procures, or pays for medical or mental health services for Michiganders must act to protect minors from conversion therapy. 
* Signed legislation banning conversion therapy [ [link removed] ] for minors in Michigan.  
* Vetoed anti-trans budget language [ [link removed] ] that sought to deny gender affirming healthcare. 
* Issued an annual proclamation [ [link removed] ] marking June as Pride Month. 
* Was the first Governor to march at the Motor City Pride parade and fly the Pride Flag [ [link removed] ] on a State of Michigan building in 2019. 
* Renamed [ [link removed] ] Downtown Lansing’s Lewis Cass Building to the “Elliott-Larsen Building” in honor of the bipartisan sponsors of Michigan’s Civil Rights Law. 

 

View the full proclamation here [ [link removed] ].  

 

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