Michigan lawmakers ended their
legislative session without voting on a trio of bills which sought to
legalize discrimination against LGBT people.
Two bills introduced by state Rep.
Kenneth Kurtz, a Republican from Coldwater, would have allowed
adoption agencies to refuse services based on moral or religious
beliefs. The bills cleared the House Committee on Families, Children
and Seniors but did not reach the House floor for a vote.
A third bill introduced by state
Senator John Moolenaar, a Republican from Midland, granted similar
exemptions to healthcare professionals. The bill cleared the Senate
but also did not reach the House floor for a vote.
Emily Dievendorf, director of policy
for Equality Michigan, applauded
the moves.
“This legislative session Michigan
extremists seemed suspiciously motivated to keep hurling a wrecking
ball at Michigan families,” said Dievendorf in a statement.
“Fortunately, somebody in Republican leadership realized that the
passage of these destructive bills would not be easily forgiven by a
majority of Michigan citizens whose support for equality is on the
right side of history, and leaders quietly ignored the bills which
would have provided countless licenses to discriminate. Michigan
voters are much to thank for this change of heart as they stood
united, sending thousands of emails demanding that our elected
officials end their attempts to deny potential homes to the over
5,000 foster children eligible for adoption. Michigan citizens also
insisted that we enforce the powerful tradition of the Hippocratic
Oath when providing health care.”
(Related: Majority
support for gay marriage in Michigan.)