With bipartisan support, the Michigan Senate is formally recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month for the first time.
A resolution to recognize June as Pride Month has been introduced into the Michigan legislature every year for the last seven years, but it often failed to make it out of committee during that time.
On Thursday, state senators adopted the resolution. Sixteen Senate Democrats and two Republicans signed on as co-sponsors. One of them was Democrat Jeremy Moss who represents the 11th District.
He said there has always been a roadblock from the Republican majority in past years.
“So even just getting this recognition has been a long journey, but at long last today, we were able to pass this resolution and giving a lot of validity and dignity to the LGBTQ people who call Michigan home," he said.
Moss said he’s hopeful this resolution will propel Michigan lawmakers to pass legislation securing LGBTQ rights in the state’s civil rights law.
“Fortunately, today, a small symbolic sign, but a significant one, that the legislature acknowledges our contributions to the state of Michigan to and the struggle up until now," he added.
A similar resolution also passed on Thursday in the Michigan House.
