News

After a decade of advocacy, the state’s civil rights act has gained momentum towards including protections for the LGBTQ community.

Today, SB 4, the bill to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), passed out of the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee on 5-1 vote with one senator passing.

This is the first time in 40 years a bill to include LGBTQ protections has passed out of a state legislative committee. The bill sponsor, Senator Jeremy Moss, is confident it will be made law soon.

The Grand Rapids Chamber was honored to kick off testimony today with the Detroit Chamber. The chambers also brought other businesses in to testify, including statewide businesses like Consumers Energy and DTE Energy and Grand Rapids business voices like The Mitten Brewing Co., Atomic Object and 8THIRTYFOUR Intergrated Communications.

The Chamber released a letter in support of this legislation earlier this month with other companies and business groups. If your company wants to be added, email your support to andy@grandrapids.org.

Why it matters: Inclusion is a long-standing priority for the Chamber. Updating the ELCRA will protect everyone in Michigan, no matter their race, gender, religion, physical characteristic, sexual orientation or gender identity. Building a safe and welcoming region that anyone can call home is the right thing to do and is critical for our continued economic growth.

The bills now advance to the full Michigan senate. Stay tuned for further details from your Grand Rapids Chamber.