More than 65 elected officials from all over Michigan are supporting proposed state legislation to give gay and transgendered stronger legal protections. The group calls itself LEAD, or Local Electeds Against Discrimination. They want to amend Michigan’s watershed Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976 to prohibit discrimination against gay and transgendered persons.
Group member and East Lansing Mayor Pro Tem Nathan Triplett says Michigan should follow the example of 21 other states that do protect the rights of this population segment.
"So that it would no longer be legal for you to be denied housing or employment or public accommodations based on your sexual orientation," says Triplett. "Basically, based on who you are."
East Lansing was the first city in the nation to ban anti-gay and lesbian bias in hiring city employees. Triplett says a statewide law would offer fairness and keep the state economically competitive.