LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A bill to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity has passed the Michigan Senate, marking the first time in Michigan history that such a bill has passed either chamber of the Legislature.

The bill would expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) to prohibit firing, evicting, or otherwise discriminating against someone solely because they identify as LGBTQ. The Senate’s only openly gay member, Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, presided over the vote.

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“For far too long, #LGBTQ Michiganders could not seek justice after enduring discrimination because we were excluded from our state’s civil rights act,” Moss said on Twitter. “We are telling future generations that they now have a future.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says the bill is not only a step forward for civil rights, but that it will also increase productivity. “Bigotry is bad for business,” she said during her State of the State address, in which she advocated for the bill. “We should build on our reputation as a welcoming beacon of opportunity where anyone can succeed.”

The bill was adopted without a religious orientation amendment proposed by Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake. Runestad fears that “SB4’s new protections may be used as a sword, rather than a shield.” Moss said this amendment would defeat the bill’s purpose and leave a loophole for discrimination.

Since Democrats control both chambers of the legislature and Whitmer has already expressed support for expanding ELCRA, the bill is expected to pass the House and be signed into law. If successful, it would codify last year’s Michigan Supreme Court opinion that ELCRA bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.