Championed by Sen. Moss, Rep. Pohutsky, Gov. Whitmer, and others, state approves first-ever support to address social determinants of LGBTQ+ health in 2023-24 State Budget
FERNDALE, Ml (August 24 , 2023) – A coalition of LGBTQ+ leaders across Michigan celebrated the recently passed and signed 2023-24 state budget, which includes a first ever investment to address health disparities faced by LGBTQ+ Michiganders by supporting the work of community-based organizations with a $10 million grant.
”Thanks to the leadership of Senator Moss, Representative Pohutsky, and the entire LGBTQ+ Caucus, we are making long overdue investments to reduce health disparities faced by the LGBTQ+ community,” said Governor Whitmer. “I am proud of the progress we have made this year to make Michigan a more safe, welcoming place. From expanding the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to shoring up reproductive freedom, we have gotten a heck of a lot done to ensure anyone can ‘make it’ in Michigan.”
State Sen. Jeremy Moss (D – Southfield) and State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D – Livonia), co-chairs of the Legislature’s LGBTQ+ Caucus, embraced this opportunity to improve the health outcomes for some of Michigan’s most vulnerable citizens and helped to deliver this historic allocation.
“Our new majority is finally ensuring all Michiganders are valued through our policy- and budget-making process,” Sen. Moss said. “Along with recent major equality-focused changes in our law, the creation of this new grant will help ensure fair access of healthcare, education, and other support services for the hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ+ people who call Michigan their home.”
‘This funding comes at a crucial time,” Rep. Pohutsky said. “As Michigan becomes a more welcoming state, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community, it’s important we address disparities not just through policy, but also through funding, and this grant is an important first step.”
This grant proposal was first created by several LGBTQ+ groups from across the state, crafting the data-informed request and presenting it to state decision makers. This coalition included: Affirmations, Corktown Health, MiGen, Trans Sistas of Color Project, Equality Michigan, Gender-Identity Network Alliance, Great Lakes Bay Pride, Jim Toy Community Center, LGBT Detroit, OutCenter SW Michigan, Outfront Kalamazoo, Ruth Ellis Center, Stand with Trans, Transgender Michigan, ACLU of Michigan, Salus Center and other statewide partners. The coalition steering committee was led by Dave Garcia (Affirmations), Anthony Williams (Corktown Health), Angela Gabridge (MiGen) and Jeynce Poindexter (Ruth Ellis and Trans Sistas of Color Project).
“On behalf of the entire LGBTQ+ community coalition we wish to thank the Governor, Senators Moss, Pohutsky and the legislative leadership in Lansing for making this first of its kind investment in the health of our community. This effort is truly historic and will improve the lives of countless LGBTQ+ people throughout Michigan.”
– Coalition Co-chairs
The State and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will be engaged in decision making about how funds will be distributed and how qualified, community-based organizations can apply. Details will be shared publicly and with coalition partners as soon as they are available.
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About the coalition: A coalition of LGBTQ+ non-profit organizations joined together in 2023 to identify priority funding areas that would have a direct impact on addressing social determinants of health to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes for Michigan’s approximately 400,000 LGBTQ+ residents. Coalition member organizations represent a wide cross section of LGBTQ+ community-based organizations from around the state, who worked together as part of a first of its kind, historic effort.
For media and other inquiries: Contact Angela Gabridge at: agabridge@migenconnect.org