News & Commentary

Jacquelin Washington forged equal opportunity and leadership roles for women, especially for African American women, when it felt like there were none. She shattered glass ceilings and shaped executive roles into positions held by women, and expanded the work of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and others to fight for the rights of all minorities. For the decades leading to her 1995 induction into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, Jackie was a trailblazer.

A federal judge ruled today that the ACLU’s challenge to Michigan’s practice of allowing discrimination against same-sex couples in the public foster care system can move forward.

Today the American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Michigan filed a motion in federal court asking to intervene in a lawsuit that was filed against Williamston Community Schools for adopting policies that prohibit discrimination against students for their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The ACLU is representing Stand with Trans, a statewide organization that supports transgender youth and their families, and Williamston High School’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), a student-run LGBT support group.

DETROIT — Today the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes unlawfully discriminated against Aimee Stephens when it fired her after she notified her employer that she would begin working openly as female because she is a transgender woman. The ruling affirms that transgender individuals are protected by federal sex discrimination laws, and that religious belief does not give employers the right to discriminate against them. Today’s decision reverses the lower court’s decision, which held that religious belief was sufficient to exempt the employer from anti-discrimination laws.

Some days, I hardly recognize my government and the way it is supposed to comport to the principles of democracy and constitutional fairness. This week we had the Senate majority doggedly pushing for a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, supported by less than 15 percent of American public, which could leave up to 26 million Americans uninsured.  Few in the Senate know what they are voting on because the various drafts of the legislation are cooked up behind closed doors, with no hearings, no opportunity for public comment, and little debate.

Shameful. Political pandering. Heartless. Cowardly. A terrible message to send to some of our most vulnerable youth.

The results of last month’s election sent shockwaves through many communities, not the least of which were transgender communities. For many trans and gender non-conforming people (TGNC) – already at heightened risk from increasingly dangerous policy proposals– the feeling turned from intense anxiety to one of palpable fear.

A remarkable event quietly took place recently in Saugatuck. A panel of courageous women and men took the stage at the local arts center to share with area residents their experience as transgender people.

I’m a “glass half full” kind of guy, but it hasn’t been easy these past two months to feel optimistic about prospects for LGBT equality in Michigan.