Dear Neighbor,
June is a time to celebrate love, visibility, and the power of community, but also a time to recognize the ongoing challenges that LGBTQ+ individuals face across the country. This year, we’ve witnessed an alarming wave of attacks on LGBTQ+ rights from every level of government.
It’s understandable to feel frightened or overwhelmed, but here in Michigan, Democrats are standing firm. We’re working every day to ensure that everyone, no matter who they are or who they love, can live with dignity, freedom, and safety.
Thank you for being a part of this movement toward a more inclusive and just Michigan.
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or seek assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments. You can email me at SenSSingh@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-3447.
Sincerely
Sam Singh
State Senator
District 28
Happy Pride Month — How Senate Democrats Have Been Creating a Welcoming, Inclusive State for LGBTQ+ Michiganders at the Capitol
From expanding the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to banning conversion therapy for minors, Michigan Senate Democrats are committed to cultivating true inclusion and belonging in Michigan — not only during the month of June, but every day year-round. While our legislative efforts are a big step forward for Michigan, they are certainly not the last. With all the uncertainty stemming from the federal level, the Senate recognizes the continued need for education and awareness to end discrimination and prejudice and remains steadfast in advancing legislation to support the rights of every Michigander to live freely and authentically.
Expanding the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act — Senate Bill 4 (Public Act 6 of 2023)
One of the first bills my Senate Democratic colleagues and I introduced when we took the Majority in the state Legislature was legislation to amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include explicit protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. Now, after 50 years in the making, Michiganders finally have long-fought-for protections from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression codified in state law. This will protect our LGBTQ+ family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors against discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and public services. It also will provide protection in educational facilities, housing, and real estate.
Banning Conversion Therapy for Minors — House Bill 4616 (Public Act 117 of 2023)
I was proud to join my colleagues in passing legislation to ban the harmful practice of conversion therapy by mental health professionals seeking to change the gender identity or sexual orientation of minors here in Michigan.
Making ID Changes Easier — House Bill 5300 & 5303 (Public Act 229-230 of 2024)
As part of the slew of legislation my Senate colleagues and I passed in our record 29-hour session this past December were bills to remove barriers for transgender, gender-nonconforming individuals, and others to change their names or sex designation on government documents, supporting peoples’ autonomy over their own identity.
State & Federal Republican LGBTQ+ Attacks
Banning Transgender Athletes — House Bill 4066 & 4469
Just last month, the Michigan House passed House Bills 4066 and 4469, aiming to prohibit transgender girls from participating in K–12 girls sports. Not only are these bills outright discriminatory — they’re not grounded in evidence. As Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks has already expressed, attacking kids is not on our agenda here in the Democratic-controlled Michigan Senate. As such, this legislation will not be passed, or even taken up for consideration, in our chamber.
Rolling Back Title IX Rights
For over 50 years, Title IX has been protecting students by prohibiting sex-based discrimination in all federally funded education institutions. Former President Biden added protections for LGBTQ+ students by strengthening the law to include protection from discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation and expanding safeguards against sexual harassment. Following a wave of right-wing lawsuits and state-level challenges, these new changes were struck down by a federal judge in January of this year and further dismantled by President Trump who ordered Title IX to be returned to its 2020 rules enforced under his previous administration. By rolling back Biden’s inclusive updates to the law, the federal administration has also actively stripped away protections for students nationwide.
Bolstering Discriminatory Businesses
By siding with a Colorado-based web designer who did not want to design sites for same-sex weddings, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 303 Creative v. Elenis decision opened the door for businesses to legally deny services to LGBTQ+ people in specific circumstances.
What You Can Do
While significant progress has been made here in Michigan and around in the country to advance protections and rights for the LGBTQ+ community, there is still much work ahead. And you’re needed! Building a brighter, stronger, and more inclusive state where people can live in freedom rather than fear to love who they love and be their true selves requires all of us showing up, speaking out, and standing up. Here’s a few actionable ways to build that future.
Vote in every election — local, state, and federal. You hold the power to put people in office who will be tireless advocates for our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors — use it!
Show up at Pride events, school board meetings, community forums, and anywhere issues pertaining to gay, lesbian, trans, and non-binary folks are being highlighted, discussed, or debated. Your presence and your voice matter.
Engage with your representatives — we work for you and want to hear from you! Give us a call or send us a message and come out to one of our community events. Let us know how we can better represent you — and those you love — at the Capitol and out in the community.
Local Pride Events
From Marquette to Motor City, there are several Pride festivals happening this month and throughout the summer. Below are a few local events if you’re in the area but be sure to check out the calendar of events happening throughout the state here. I’m excited to attend the Pride events in Lansing, East Lansing, and Owosso — hope to see you there!
East Lansing Pride
WHEN: Saturday, June 14, from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
WHERE: Albert El Fresco (Albert Ave. between Grove Street and M.A.C. Ave.)
Along with their open floor drag show and lip sync battle, East Lansing Pride will also feature live music, local vendors, inclusive art activities, and local giveaways. Lean more on the event Facebook page.
Lansing Pride
WHEN: Saturday, June 28, from 1:00 – 10:00 p.m.
WHERE: Old Town, 216 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave.
Lansing Pride 2025 will feature all-day entertainment including the People’s Party Princess Singer, Adore Delano, of “American Idol,” “Drag Race,” TikTok and all the other fames. Learn more at Lansingpride.org.
Owosso Pride
WHEN: Saturday, June 28, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Curwood Castle Park, 224 Curwood Castle Dr.
Owosso Pride 2025 will offer activities for the whole family — balloons, bubbles, facepainting, and more! The event will feature a performance by local Drag Queen Remington Rose, Drag Queen Story Time hosted by Jadein Black of Boylesque Drag, music by DJTL Dance Tunes, and numerous food trucks and vendors to check out. Plus — Happy Feet Pet Rescue will be coming from Lansing with adoptable dogs! Lean more on the event Facebook page.
DeWitt Pride in the Park
WHEN: Sunday, June 29, from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Riverside Park, 405 S. Bridge St.
DeWitt’s second annual Pride Festival will include games, activities, snacks, and more. To learn more, sign up to volunteer, or support DeWitt Pride with a donation, visit midewittpride.org.
Resources
- Equality Michigan – Advocacy, legal support, and resources
- OutCenter Southwest Michigan – Youth programs, family support, and more
- GLSEN Southeast Michigan – School policy advocacy and support for students
- Transgender Michigan – Help line, events, and resources for the trans community
- The Trevor Project – 24/7 crisis services for LGBTQ+ young people