June 2024: Pride Month

WHEREAS, Michigan is home to an estimated 373,000 residents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+); and,

WHEREAS, Michigan’s LGBTQ+ residents contribute to the fabric of our society, hold positions across sectors of our economy and at the highest levels of government, and live in every region of our state; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan has been at the forefront of advancing civil rights for LGBTQ+ people, beginning with the nation’s first non-discrimination ordinance passed in 1972 in East Lansing, and the nation’s first Civil Rights Commission to independently recognize that discrimination “because of sex” includes sexual orientation and gender identity in 2018; and,

WHEREAS, last year, I established the first-ever statewide LGBTQ+ commission to address issues facing Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community; and,

WHEREAS,  in 2023, I also signed legislation to expand the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, education, housing, and real estate as well as the use of public accommodations and public services; and,

WHEREAS, in 2019, I signed Executive Order 2019-09 to expand these same protections for LGBTQ+ state employees and issued a statement in support of the Supreme Court’s historic ruling on LGBTQ+ protections, which deemed that the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals from discrimination based on sex; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan’s economic growth depends on welcoming people of diverse backgrounds, ending discrimination, and attracting and retaining top talent from around the world; and, 

WHEREAS, Michigan must continue to support the rights of every citizen to experience freedom from discrimination and recognize the continued need for education and awareness to end discrimination and prejudice; and, 

WHEREAS, June 2024 is the 55^th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City, which is recognized as a catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ Civil Rights movement; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan celebrates LGBTQ+ individuals this month, and we also recognize the important work that must be done to continue building a more fair and just state for all;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, and Garlin Gilchrist II, lieutenant governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim June 2024 as Pride Month and encourage everyone to stand against discrimination and reject violence toward LGBTQ+ individuals; to promote self-affirmation, dignity, and equity; and to continue working toward building a brighter future that promotes liberty and justice for all.