The Michigan Civil Rights Commission has directed an agency to continue investigating complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity despite the state attorney general has declared its interpretation of the law to be invalid.
The commission made the decision Monday, three days after Bill Schuette said only the Legislature or voters can expand Michigan's civil rights law to provide LGBT protections.
Michigan Department of Civil Rights Director Agustin Arbulu says the commission is an independent, constitutionally created body that isn't bound by Schuette's opinion.
He says the only recourse is for courts to decide the matter, and LGBT-based discrimination will continue to be investigated.
A Schuette spokeswoman says his opinion is binding on state agencies, in part because he's the attorney for all executive departments and agencies.
