National Black Justice Coalition Celebrates Michigan Court Ruling Banning Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | brett@unbendablemedia.com
Statement from Dr. David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, a leading Black LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, on the Michigan Supreme Court ruling against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity:
“The National Black Justice Coalition celebrates the Michigan Supreme Court ruling today, which bans discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. This decision ensures consistent and overarching protections for all LGBTQ+ Michiganders, many of whom currently live in fear of discrimination because no such laws exist to protect them in critical areas, including employment, housing, education, credit, public spaces, and services, jury service, and federally funded programs.
“We welcome this decision and hope today’s victory serves as further inspiration for the passage of federal nondiscrimination protections in state legislatures throughout the country and through the codification of the Equality Act at the federal level.”
If passed, the Equality Act would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, federally funded programs, credit, and the jury system.
In 2019, the Equality Act received majority support in the House of Representatives for the first time but was blocked by a Republican-led Senate without a hearing or vote. Last year, the Equality Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives once more. The U.S. Senate is running out of time to take action on the bill this congressional term. Hopefully, this news provides fresh inspiration for bipartisan leadership to make equality the law of the land.
