GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — An expansion of civil rights laws in Michigan means more protections for the LGBTQ+ community, including from the growing issue of housing discrimination.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the expansion of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act into law March of 2023. It now includes protections from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity for employment, housing, education and access to public accommodations.
"We see young people who firsthand experienced discriminate discrimination and marginalization," said Lauren VanKeulen. "They've experienced getting kicked out of their homes. They've experienced being sleeping outside for multiple nights."
VanKeulen is the CEO of AYA Youth Collective, a group in Grand Rapids that works with kids and teens experiencing homelessness.
"We went from an average about 80 young people every month that are experiencing literal homelessness, sleeping on the street. We're well over 200 on a regular basis of youth who are sleeping outside," VanKeulen said.
It's a growing need, especially for the LGBTQ+ community.
"Thirty to 40% of the youth we see identify as LGBTQ, but only represent around 10% of the general population, probably even a little less than Kent County," VanKeulen said. "A huge overrepresentation that we see. A lot of young people who identify as LGBTQ and youth of color who are experiencing homelessness."
The original law intended to prevent discrimination for "religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status." That was signed in 1977, meaning it took 50 years to include the LGBTQ+ community.
"The issue is that there are a wide variety of factors contributing to this, and it needs to be a community response," VanKeulen said. "I hope that our community can really rally around that, and that might look like things like one day a millage. One day, really saying we're going to put something tangibly long term towards this."
This update goes into effect Feb. 13 along with other laws signed in 2023, including gun laws in response to the shooting at Michigan State University.
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