News & Commentary

Voting is the fundamental right that our Republic is based on: the imbuement of individuals with the power to rule over others (within fixed time limits, of course).  That essential right hit a pot-hole yesterday, when the Michigan Senate approved a bill that would require photo ID for voter registration. The Detroit News reports the bill passed along close-to-party lines, with all Democrats voting in opposition with the exception of Sen. Bert Johnson (D-Detroit.

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.

Drug Testing for Benefits Recipients? How About Legislators? Drugs are everywhere in our society, from the streets to the penthouse. That’s why requiring mandatory drug testing in order to qualify for welfare benefits is simple discrimination. Back in 2000, we successfully fought against a mandatory drug testing program imposed by the state, arguing that it unconstitutionally victimized poor people (read more about the case). However, now the Department of Health Services is trying to revive applicant drug testing for those “suspected of drug use.” Perhaps we should drug test everyone who receives any government money, like our legislators? Since drug use is common across all socio-economic backgrounds, relying on negative stereotypes of the poor only vilifies those who need aid.  Our Executive Director Kary Moss wrote an op-ed in the Detroit Free Press, detailing why this practice is not only unconstitutional, but impractical (via the Free Press).

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.