The Michigan Board of State Canvassers plans to meet Monday to determine the fate of a petition-driven initiative to prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ people in Michigan.The Michigan Bureau of Elections rejected the initiative earlier this month, saying organizers failed to collect enough valid signatures. Fair and Equal Michigan collected about 299,000 signatures from registered voters, falling short of the 340,047 required for certification, according to the bureau. If the board sides with Fair and Equal Michigan, the initiative would be sent to the GOP-controlled Legislature.The group’s goal is to force state lawmakers to vote on expanding the state’s civil rights law to include a ban on discrimination against LGBTQ residents. Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination in housing and hiring based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, and marital status. Gretchen Whitmer renewed their calls to amend the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act, but Republicans have balked at advancing the legislation.More than 20 states in the U.S. provide full protections from discrimination for LGBTQ people.

Source: MetroXpress July 26, 2021 15:11 UTC