LANSING, Mich. (July 28, 2022) — Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) today issued the following statement regarding the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision in Rouch World LLC v. Michigan Department of Civil Rights, in which the Court decided in support of the state, affirming legal protections for sexual orientation and gender identity through the term “sex”:
“This victory in the Michigan Supreme Court affirms what LGBTQ Michiganders knew all along: Our lives have worth, and our work provides value. And now today, when faced with discrimination, we can seek justice.
“Too many people in Michigan suffered hardships up until this decision — fired, evicted, or denied available services solely due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. This ruling, more than 40 years in the making, is owed to those who bravely fought against harassment and ridicule to be recognized in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. A special debt of gratitude is due to Attorney General Dana Nessel, Michigan’s first out LGBTQ statewide official, who personally argued this case before the Court herself. Our community never asked for anything more than what any other community has, but we also would not accept anything less than equal protection under the law.
“This is a moment worthy of celebration — a needed glimmer of light in an otherwise dark time. It is evidence there is a path toward equality and acceptance, in the face of hatred and division. We must stay pointed forward to enshrine this ruling into law by passing my Senate Bill 208 and protect other rights that may come under threat. Our work is not yet done.”
In 2018, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) issued an interpretive statement that the word “sex” in the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act included protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2019, Rouch World, an event center in Sturgis, declined to host a same-sex wedding, saying it conflicted with the owners’ religious beliefs. The MDCR launched an investigation into a complaint filed, while Rouch World said it could not be investigated because state law does not explicitly protect sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Court of Claims said in 2020 that it was bound by a Court of Appeals decision decades earlier that found sexual orientation wasn’t covered by the civil rights law, but Attorney General Dana Nessel appealed the decision on behalf of the MDCR and was granted a bypass to bring the matter to the state Supreme Court faster.
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