In This Email

Mar 21, 2023

• Party News

  • NEW: Governor Whitmer Signs Expansion of Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act

  • NEW: Banning Books in Michigan

  • Spring Fling Planning Underway

  • NEW: More Good Things Happening in Lansing

• Upcoming Events

  • NEW: Spring FLARE

  • NEW: League of Women Voters Sponsors Talk on the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact

  • NEW: Campaign & Community Events

Party News

On Thursday Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) signed into law a landmark bill to protect the state’s LGBTQ community. The bill is an expansion of the state’s Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

Since 2018 the state’s Civil Rights Commission has investigated cases of discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community, considering such complaints to be covered under existing laws against discrimination on the basis of sex. Last July the state Supreme Court ruled that discrimination based on sexual orientation was illegal. The bill that Governor Whitmer signed codifies and explicitly puts into law protections for both sexual orientation and gender identity.

It is now illegal for employers, businesses and others in Michigan to discriminate against people on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Right now, there’s a nationwide assault on our LGBTQ+ community, especially our trans neighbors, family and friends,” Whitmer said. “There are state legislatures across this country dedicating themselves to legalizing discrimination. It’s dangerous, it’s wrong and it’s un-American.”

The ACLU reports that it is tracking more than 400 bills targeting LGBTQ rights that have been introduced in state legislatures so far this year - and it’s only March. One state in particular - Florida - is leading this assault, and it’s governor is a top contender for nomination as the Republican presidential candidate in 2024.

We should all be grateful for the work that Governor Whitmer and Michigan’s Democratic legislators put in to deliver this bill. But we need to continue to put in the hard work necessary to ensure these rights not only for Michiganders but for all Americans.

Efforts from the right to ban books in public libraries in Michigan and across the country continue with no signs of let up. One of the latest efforts is in the lower Michigan community of Lapeer where the outrage machine has genned up concern over the book Gender Queer, a graphic novel aimed at late teens and adults. The book follows the author's exploration of gender identity, ultimately leading to identifying as non-binary. It is not a surprise that the book at issue in Lapeer is an LGBT book with Trans content.

The library keeps the book in their adult section (though anyone can check it out) and reports it has been very popular and in constant circulation. The book has been identified by the American Library Association as one of the most challenged books on library shelves since 2021. One of the reasons is that the graphic novel depicts a couple of scenes that include sex acts.

What makes the Lapeer case noteworthy is the fact that the Lapeer County Prosecutor John Miller has threatened to consider filing criminal charges against library officials over the controversial book, though experts suggest such charges would not be successful.

It's that time of year! The planning team has met, and things are getting organized for another Spring Fling. Start thinking Spring, and mark June 10th on your calendar for our annual get together.

We'll have more information on the event as we get closer to June 10th.

Good things are continuing to happen in the Michigan legislature. Here are highlights from the last week:

• Governor Whitmer has signed the historic LGBTQ rights bill - see the main item above.

• The new legislation that 1)repeals the 1931 law making it a four-year felony to perform abortions in Michigan except for life-threatening pregnancies and 2) repeals a ban on medicine, drugs or substances that could be used to induce a miscarriage is on the Governor's desk. She is expected to sign it before the end of the month.

• Following a rally for gun reform this past Tuesday, on Wednesday the Senate approved a sweeping package of bills aimed at curbing gun violence. The Senate bills now head to the House, which last week approved its own universal background check legislation and could take up the other bills as soon as this week. More info...

• Along party lines, the Michigan Senate voted to repeal the 2012 GOP backed "Right to Work" law, sending the bill back to the House for final approval. Governor Whitmer has already said she will sign the bill. Passage of the bill would make Michigan one of the first states to repeal its Right to Work law. More info...

 We'll continue following along and summarizing legislative actions as the Democrats in Lansing continue to keep up the pace.

Upcoming Events

Presented by Keweenaw Pride and the Sustainable Futures Association at MTU, Spring FLARE (Festival of Love, Arts, Radiance, and Empowerment) is a celebration of the diverse artistry, identities, and talents of the Keweenaw Community! Student Organizations, local artists, musicians, and small businesses will have space in the Rosza to host activities, art sales, craft booths, musical performances, raffles and more! The event is free to attend. Donations and proceeds from raffle tickets will go to the Copper Country Humane Society.

The League of Women Voters of the Copper Country is sponsoring a talk on the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, now being considered under legislation introduced in Lansing. Learn about the effort to make “one person, one vote” carry over into Presidential elections.

Tue. 3/21:

• The Calumet Village Council meets tonight at 6:30 PM in the Village Council Chambers. More information on the Council, it's committees, and minutes of past meetings can be found on the Council's webpage.

• The Laurium Village Council meets tonight at 6 PM in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall. More info can be found on the Village's website.

Wed. 3/15

• The Houghton City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Meeting Agenda can be found in the Searchable Document Center of the Council's website.

Thur 3/23

• Thursday is the start of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of fasting for many Muslims in the United States. More than 3 million Muslims live in the US. It is considered the holiest month on the Islamic calendar. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars (fundamental religious duties) of Islam. It is a time of self-examination and increased religious devotion. The month ends on April 22nd with Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast.