Whitmer Joins Lawmakers Call For Adding LGBT Protections

LANSING (CBS Detroit/AP) — Joining with her Democratic lawmakers and others. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday supported newly introduced legislation that would expand Michigan's civil rights law to include protections for LGBT people. Whitmer says, it is time for the state to be on the "right side of history."

The Democrat has previously supported a yearslong effort to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations. But advocates said having a sitting governor in their corner at a time the Republican-led House and Senate both have openly gay members for the first time is "historic."

"It's time to get Michigan on the right side of history," Whitmer said during a news conference at her Capitol ceremonial office, where legislators held a rainbow flag. "In the year 2019, nobody — nobody — should be fired from their job or evicted from their home based on who they love or how they identify."

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