LGBTQ rights in Michigan

LGBTQ rights in Michigan
Michigan
StatusLegal statewide since 2003
(Lawrence v. Texas); legislative repeal pending [citation needed]
Gender identityAltering sex on a birth certificate does not require sex reassignment surgery
Discrimination protectionsSexual orientation and gender identity protections codified in 2023[1] (see below)
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsSame-sex marriage since 2015
AdoptionYes

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Michigan enjoy the same rights as non-LGBTQ people. Michigan in June 2024 was ranked "the most welcoming U.S. state for LGBT individuals".[2] Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Michigan under the U.S. Supreme Court case Lawrence v. Texas, although the state legislature has not repealed its sodomy law. Same-sex marriage was legalised in accordance with 2015's Obergefell v. Hodges decision. Discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity is unlawful since July 2022, was re-affirmed by the Michigan Supreme Court - under and by a 1976 statewide law, that explicitly bans discrimination "on the basis of sex".[3] The Michigan Civil Rights Commission have also ensured that members of the LGBT community are not discriminated against and are protected in the eyes of the law since 2018 and also legally upheld by the Michigan Supreme Court in 2022. In March 2023, a bill passed the Michigan Legislature by a majority vote - to formally codify both "sexual orientation and gender identity" anti-discrimination protections embedded within Michigan legislation.[4] Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill on March 16, 2023.[5] In 2024, Michigan repealed “the last ban on commercial surrogacy within the US” - for individuals and couples and reformed the parentage laws, that acknowledges same sex couples and their families with children.[6]

Michigan is home to a vibrant LGBT community. East Lansing and Ann Arbor were the first cities in the United States to pass LGBT discrimination protections, doing so in 1972. Pride parades have been held in the state's most populous city, Detroit, since 1986, and today attract thousands of people.[7] While a majority of Michiganders support same-sex marriage,[8] the formerly Republican-controlled Legislature had mostly ignored LGBT-related legislation, and as such progress had been slow (and had thus mostly come from the courts and local municipalities).[9] In July 2023, Michigan officially banned conversion therapy state-wide by legislation.[10][11]

  1. ^ "Human Rights Campaign Applauds Michigan House for Bipartisan Passage of Civil Rights Law That Guarantees Protections for LGBTQ+ People". March 8, 2023.
  2. ^ "Michigan ranks among most welcoming states for LGBTQ+ community - CBS Detroit". CBS News. June 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "Michigan Supreme Court rules sex discrimination ban includes sexual orientation". July 30, 2022.
  4. ^ Hunt, Sarah Bricker (March 8, 2023). "Critical Hurdle Cleared as ELCRA LGBTQ+ Amendment Passes Michigan House Vote". Pride Source. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  5. ^ Stebbins, Laina G. (March 17, 2023). "Whitmer signs LGBTQ+ non-discrimination bill into law alongside civil rights pioneer Mel Larsen ⋆ Michigan Advance". Michigan Advance. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  6. ^ "Michigan passes landmark law decriminalizing surrogacy & protecting LGBTQ+ parentage rights". April 4, 2024.
  7. ^ "Home Page". Motor City Pride. Archived from the original on August 30, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference prri was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Howard, Drew (March 14, 2018). "Bill Banning Conversion Therapy in Washington State Enters Final Phase". PrideSource. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  10. ^ "Human Rights Campaign Commends Michigan Governor Whitmer for Signing Conversion Therapy Ban into Law". July 26, 2023.
  11. ^ "Michigan bans use of conversion therapy targeting LGBTQ+ youth". USA Today.