LANSING — Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared the month of June as PRIDE Month is the State of Michigan. PRIDE Month is in the month of June to honor and recognize the many people in the LGBTQ+ community and was started in commemoration of the Stonewall Uprising that took place in 1969.
Whitmer’s declaration was met with praise from numerous elected officials and community groups. Some of those quoted in a press release from the Office of Governor Whitmer include:
“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.”
Community Groups celebrating the proclamation include:
“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 also highlighted many of the actions taken to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
- Established first-ever statewide LGBTQ+ commission to address issues facing Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community
- Amended the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act 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 in the Michigan Supreme Court arguing the language of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination 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 that hits her desk.
- Signed 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 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 for minors in Michigan.
- Vetoed anti-trans budget language that sought to deny gender affirming healthcare.
- Issued an annual proclamation marking June as Pride Month.
- Was the first Governor to march at the Motor City Pride parade and fly the Pride Flag on a State of Michigan building in 2019.
- Renamed Downtown Lansing’s Lewis Cass Building to the “Elliott-Larsen Building” in honor of the bipartisan sponsors of Michigan’s Civil Rights Law.
