Responding this morning to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that federal civil rights law prohibits employers from discriminating against workers on the grounds of their sexual orientation, Governor Gretchen Whitmer is praising the court, and encouraging expansion upon it here in Michigan.
Today, the governor released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Title VII protects both gay and transgender people from being fired from their jobs on the basis of their sexuality or gender:
“Today, in a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court confirmed what we already know – that nobody deserves to lose their job because of who they are or how they identify. This is good news for the countless LGBTQ+ Michiganders who have been fighting for equality for decades, and would not have been possible if not for one of the plaintiffs, Aimee Stephens, a brave Michigander who fought for transgender rights until the day she died. There is still more work to do. We must continue fighting to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to protect members of the LGBTQ+ community and make Michigan a state where more people want to move to for opportunity. In honor of Aimee, take today to celebrate this victory, and tomorrow, let’s continue fighting to ensure equality for all Michiganders.”
The U.S. Supreme Court ruling today came in a 6-to-3 decision, wherein the court said that the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis of sex, also covers sexual orientation. The ruling extends to transgender rights and court observers are calling it “a resounding victory for LGBT rights.” Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote the opinion, while Justices Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas all dissented.
A short while later, the Michigan Democratic Party released the following statement on behalf of Chair Lavora Barnes on the Supreme Court’s ruling:
“This is a historic moment in the fight for liberty, justice, and equality for all. No American should live in fear of being fired for their gender identity or whom they love. The fight for full equality is far from over, but today the Supreme Court took our country one step closer.
“While today we made monumental progress, Donald Trump and his administration did everything in their power to fight this achievement and still continue their work to roll back protections for the LGBTQ+ community. Trump’s Department of Justice fought this ruling and Brett Kavanaugh voted against these critical protections. And just three days ago, Donald Trump stripped protections against discrimination for transgender Americans. We need a president like Joe Biden who will take bold stands in favor of full LGBTQ+ equality, not one who fights progress every step of the way.”
