News & Commentary

Shortly after the New Jersey legislature passed its marriage equality bill earlier this year, I drafted a letter to Gov. Chris Christie.Many around the country did the same to urge the Governor to sign the bill into law.How could I not?In part, I wrote:"I am compelled to let you know that denying anyone the right to marry is not a battle that young people are willing to fight. My peers, both Republicans and Democrats, don't view homosexuality as any less than heterosexuality.”Before I could even put a stamp on the envelope, Gov. Christie vetoed the bill.

Lately, I've been hearing a lot of talk here in Western Michigan about the mysterious Elliott Larsen.Seems like everyone is meeting, planning, forming opinions, and talking about this “Elliott Larsen” over coffee.  Even my good friend Susan asked me in a hushed voice, "Just who is this Elliott Larsen?"As it turns out, Elliott Larsen isn’t a person – it is an Act.

The singing ghost of Benjamin Franklin can protect you from police brutality, now that actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt and the Gregory Brothers (creators of the awesome Auto-Tune the News) have teamed up with the ACLU.

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No matter how many lawyers we throw at some issues, it's the activism of our members and supporters that creates positive change both locally and nationwide. In this week's Rights Review, read more about how public outcry is driving change on ending school bullying, defying censorship in Plymouth-Canton, and fighting the discriminatory ban on domestic partnership benefits for some public employers.

Last week, thousands of Michiganders spoke out against House Bills 4770 and 4771, urging Governor Snyder to do the right thing for Michigan families and veto this bad legislation. This morning, Governor Snyder asked the State House to provide a specific clarification that the colleges and universities are exempt from the ban on domestic partner benefits that House Bills 4770 and 4771. This attempt to dress up bad legislation is troubling, since this legislation would still take away health insurance from the families of public employees who work for the State of Michigan, city governments, county governments and public school districts.

These are real stories of real people that will be affected by HB 4770. Take action and tell Governor Snyder to VETO this legislation.Jolinda and Barbara have been together for 17 years. While Jolinda works for the City of Kalamazoo, Barbara works part-time so she can be home for their kids. Last year, Barbara was hit in the eye by a baseball and now takes medication to prevent possible blindness. If Governor Snyder signs HB 4770, Barbara will immediately lose the health insurance coverage that protects her sight.

Kary Moss, Executive DirectorThis week two interesting things happened – one in Michigan, one in Geneva.In the city of Troy, Mayor Janice Daniels was ‘outed’ as insensitive and worse when she called out New York for allowing “queers” to marry.Yesterday in Geneva, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a historic pronouncement that that the Department of State will pursue a global human rights agenda inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities.What a contrast. In the one case, we have tea party mayor sorely out of touch with how her words echo and reverberate in a community and state, going well beyond what may be her own personal values.In the other case, we have a national leader whose words recognize that human progress depends on our ability to respect all sexual orientations and gender identities.While the culture war underway should not be ignored, for those millions of people throughout the world who face real threats ranging from employment discrimination, threats to personal safety and who suffer the costs of a legal system that subjects them to second class status because they cannot marry, I say take heart.Slowly but surely tolerance will win. Polls of younger voters show this is a non-issue and just a matter of time before acceptance wins the day.In the meantime, today you can do something about it. The Michigan Legislature has passed a bill that would prohibit public employers from providing domestic partnership benefits.Let him know that our state will not be held hostage to small-mindedness but, rather, that we aspire to embrace global human rights values that recognize the dignity in every human being.Learn more about issues you care about and take action: become a member, subscribe to our email action alerts, follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook. 

With Grand Rapids' ArtPrize in full swing, the ACLU of Michigan Western Branch has enjoyed an overwhelmingly positive response to our first ArtPrize exhibit. The quality of the art and the power of the messages the works carry have amazed all the visitors who have come to Fountain Street Church. Our exhibit Art and Civil Liberties focuses on the myriad of ways that art has been linked to the defense of civil liberties, from illustrating controversial social issues to encouraging revolutionary change. Judges Deb Mankoff and ACLU of Michigan Legislative Director Shelli Weisberg chose two particularly gripping pieces to receive $1,000 Best-in-Show awards. Chicago-area artist Dominic Sansone's piece Brand New God took the top ACLU of Michigan prize, and its power routinely garners gasps from visitors. The installation fills the church's chapel with rows of small human figures of all colors worshipping a central idol: a gilded AK-47 rifle. The Fountain Street Chuch's Social Action Committee's top prize was awarded to Michigan artist Brad VanderMoere's We's Goin' To Washington! The oil painting decrys the disconnect between citizens and their representatives. Both pieces are among the 25 highest vote-getters in the Hillside Neighborhood in the ArtPrize area. One of the largest pieces in the show is a triptych by Sandra Hansen. Modeled after a Medieval alter-piece, the eight-foot tall painting memorializes one of the most famous victims of racism, the young Emmett Till. Other featured artworks deal with homophobia, violence against women, mental illness, and several pay tribute to civil liberties heroes, including Nelson Mandela of South Africa and artist Ai Weh Weh of China. To celebrate the opening of the exhibit, we held a panel discussion focused on the role of artists in drawing attention to social issues. Some audience members felt that video and electronic media are superior at spreading social issue commentary widely. Others felt that the immediacy and strength of direct contact with an artist's work can be much more influential for individuals, even if that experience is limited to a few people. The discussion was a great introduction to the experience of viewing ArtPrize works both at the church and elsewhere in the city. ArtPrize is already half over: I urge everyone to see as much of the art as possible, but give priority to the show put on by the ACLU and Fountain Street Church, at 24 Fountain NE, just east of Division Avenue.