Page A-6 THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE July 2-8, 2014

By Jackie Berg
N
ever forget who you are. Its a powerful adage to the
many proud Americans protected by laws that pro-
hibit unlawful discrimination.
But for more than the estimated 300,000 lesbian, gay,
bi-sexual or transgender (LGBT) employees across Michi-
gan, it serves as a painful reminder that they remain sepa-
rate, unequal and unprotected by civil rights laws enacted
to promote equality for all.
The fact that not everyone in the U.S. is afforded the
same civil rights today, is shocking to many. For those of us
in the LGBT community, its a reality we face daily, states
Curtis Lipscomb, the Executive Director of LGBT rights
organization Kicks, red for being gay by a previous em-
ployer.
Im gay and Im not going to change. But I am going
to change this law. No one should be able to practice any
form of discrimination, particularly in the workplace, he
states.
AN END IN SIGHT
Its time to end such discriminatory practices and fully
embrace inclusiveness and diversity for all, according to
members of the Michigan Competitive Workforce Coalition
(MCWC) who are asking the Michigan Legislature to ap-
prove an amendment to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act
that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orien-
tation.
Passage of the amendment would assure Michigan
residents that they will be protected against employment
discrimination ranging from acts of workplace harassment
to being denied the opportunity for promotion or termina-
tion due to their sexual orientation. Once passed, Michigan
will become the 30th state in the nation to enact public law
that explicitly prohibits discrimination based upon sexual
orientation.
For decades, advocates for updating Elliott-Larsen
have been working toward and preparing for this time
when business and community groups, Republicans and
Democrats, the Governors ofce and the Legislature all
come together to nally get this done, says Jim Murray,
the president of AT&T Michigan and co-founder of the
MCWC.
HALTING THE BRAIN DRAIN
The economic implications of LGBT inclusion/exclu-
sion are real, substantial and predictable, stated former
Michigan Dept. of Civil Rights (MDCR) Dir. Daniel Krich-
baum, at the release of a MDCR report ordered to evaluate
the economic impact of LGBT-related discrimination earlier
this year.
Among other ndings, the study found that the current
state of discrimination compels some professionals and
college graduates to leave Michigan in favor of more wel-
coming states.
It also revealed that discriminatory practices impact
businesses competitive advantage in recruiting and retain-
ing a skilled workforce, ability to attract a diverse customer
base and employee productivity and morale, according to
Krichbaum.
Clearly, a talent war is occurring across Michigan and
throughout the U.S. Michigan employers are beginning to
realize that they cannot continue to afford brain drain-relat-
ed costs, particularly when they are associated with pre-
ventable discriminatory practices that progressive compa-
nies like AT&T began prohibiting in the 70s, Murray says.
The number of Fortune 500 companies that include
sexual orientation in their nondiscrimination policies has
jumped from 72 percent in 1999 to more than 90 percent
today.
There is absolutely no reason for there to be a barrier
between a qualied applicant and a job here in Michigan,
states Cynthia J. Pasky, the CEO of Detroit-headquartered
Strategic Stafng Solutions and an ardent supporter of the
amendment.
Many supporters are fearful that Michigan may not only
drive away home-grown talent, but push away potential
new talent.
Michigan cannot afford to drive away skilled entrepre-
neurial people, and we certainly arent going to attract new
talent if we remain unwelcoming toward the LGBT commu-
nity, said Matt Wesaw, Director of the Michigan Depart-
ment of Civil Rights. Changing Elliott-Larsen to include
protection for LGBT individuals is not only the right thing to
do, it is the smart thing to do.
Im encouraging Michigan-based business leaders
to join us in ending this last vestige of workplace discrim-
ination that detracts from our ability to attract and retain
talent, Murray adds. The passage of the proposed
A powerful allegiance aims to end workplace discrimination
Separate,
Unequal and
Unprotected
U.S. Appeals Court Judge
Damon Keith at the rms
DC ofce on May 20,
2014. A Detroit native,
Judge Keith is renowned
for his contributions to
Civil Rights-era law, having
decided cases on work-
place discrimination and
desegregation, as well as
cases on illegal wiretap-
ping and deportation of
alleged terrorists.Judge Keith is renowned for
his contributions to Civil Rights-era law, having
decided cases on workplace discrimination
and desegregation, as well as cases on illegal
wiretapping and deportation of alleged terror-
ists. U.S. Appeals Court Judge Damon Keith at
the rms DC ofce on May 20, 2014. A Detroit
native, Judge Keith is renowned for his contri-
butions to Civil Rights-era law, having decided
cases on workplace discrimination and deseg-
regation, as well as cases on illegal wiretapping
and deportation of alleged terrorists.
Im gay and Im not going to change. But I am going to change this law.
Curtis Lipscomb, Executive Director, Kicks
amendment to the Elliott-Larsen act will send a clear message to the LGBT
community that they are truly welcome here.
GROWING SUPPORT
Theres a groundswell of bi-partisan interest in the amendment from
leaders including Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer and House Speaker
Jase Bolger, R-Marshall to powerful advocacy organizations.
The coalitions are growing daily, said Murray, who reports that some
of the states most powerful Chamber of Commerce organizations have
pledged support.
MANAGING COSTS & CONSEQUENCES
New data shows that the global effect of homophobia and exclusion costs
billions of dollars.
LGBT consumers travel more, own more homes and cars, spend more
on electronics, and have the largest amount of disposable income of any
niche market, according to Consumer Marketing & Insights, Inc. report which
estimates that the LGBT community represents 10 percent of the U.S. con-
sumer market.
The market prowess of this powerful LGBT consumer segment should
not be overlooked or underestimated stated Mike Layne, owner of Marx
Layne Public Relations, a recognized expert in the retail industry and hos-
pitality trends.
The LGBT consumer is market-savvy and like many other niche consum-
ers, typically support businesses that recognize and appreciate their con-
sumer needs, he notes. A drop in consumer spending in this consumer
segment would not be good for any business sector, particularly tourism.
U.S. Dept of Commerce estimates that the economic impact of LGBT
travel is over $70 billion a year has caught the attention of bottom line-orient-
ed business leaders across Michigan, who share concerns that a failure to
pass the proposed amendment could set off a consumer backlash impact-
ing Michigans $17.7B tourism industry, and its $1B contribution to state tax
revenue.
PUTTING OUT THE WELCOME MAT
The U.S. is home to more than 1.4 million LGBT business owners who
employ tax-paying workers, extend benets to those workers, and pay both
federal and state taxes, according to a published reports.
Given these numbers, we need to evidence a business-friendly environ-
ment that clearly embraces LGBT business growth and development. Our
support of a discrimination-free workplace will serve as an important signal
to LGBT entrepreneurs that our state is open for business, stated Murray.
NOT EVERYONE IS ABOARD
The proposed amendment has its share of detractors, including a vocal
group of African American ministers, who oppose legalizing gay marriage.
I dont believe that gays and lesbians face discrimination like of people
of color, sates Stacy Swimp, a Flint Minister and conservative comment ator
that advocates that there is no such thing as civil rights based on behavior
or conduct
Swimp joins other ministers throughout Michigan, who accuse amend-
ment supporters of attempting to hijack the civil rights movement and abus-
ing the 14th amendment.
The Michigan Catholic Conference and the American Family Association
of Michigan also oppose the amendment.
DEVELOPING A SENSE OF URGENCY
An impressive number of Michigan businesses and related business ad-
vocacy organizations are moving toward more openness on this issue, adds
Murray, who notes that the many Michigan businesses absent on the growing
list amendment supporters have already begun the sometimes lengthy inter-
nal review processes necessary to gain corporate sign-off on endorsement
of the effort.
Im condent that we will get this done by year-end. And, we need to get
this done, says the business leader.
For decades, advo-
cates for updating
Elliott-Larsen have
been working toward
and preparing for
this time when busi-
ness and community
groups, Republicans
and Democrats, the
Governors ofce and
the Legislature all
come together to nal-
ly get this done, says
Jim Murray, the pres-
ident of AT&T Michi-
gan and co-founder of
the MCWC.
The Michigan Competitive Workforce Coalition (MCWC) reports
that a growing number of businesses and related advocacy
organizations, both large and small, have joined supporters of
the Elliott-Larsen amendment including:
AT&T
Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Michigan
Chrysler Group LLC
Clark Hill PLC
Consumers Energy
The Dow Chemical Company
Google
Herman Miller
Irwin Seating Company
Issue Media Group
Kellogg Company
PADNOS
Pzer
Professional Property
Management
Quicken Loans
Slows Bar BQ
Southwest Michigan First
Steelcase
Strategic Stafng Solutions
Whirlpool Corporation
Zingermans
Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional
Chamber of Commerce
Detroit Regional Chamber
Grand Rapids Area Chamber
of Commerce
Lake Superior Community
Partnership