Fair and Equal Michigan raises nearly $640,000 in four weeks

February 11, 2020

LANSING, MI – Fair and Equal Michigan filed its campaign finance report today having raised having raised $632,776.91 in the first month of its campaign. Campaign co-chair Trevor Thomas issued the following response after submitting the report to the state:  

"This committee of Michigan citizens with support across LGBTQ groups, the business and philanthropic communities, and both sides of the political aisle, continues a disciplined approach to garner the required signatures,” said Fair and Equal Michigan Co-Chair Trevor Thomas. “Our processes remain on time, on budget, and at quality to submit signatures prior to the May deadline. We urge the Legislature to give all Michiganders a fair and equal chance to succeed."

Fair and Equal Michigan launched its campaign on January 7 of this year. It is seeking to amend the state Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. The Act already protects individuals against discrimination in employment, public accommodation and housing based on 10 factors, including age, race, sex, and religion. The Fair and Equal Michigan initiative would amend the current law by defining “sex” as including “gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression.” It would also define “religion” as including “the religious beliefs of an individual.”

Once the campaign collects the 340,047 valid signatures required, the Michigan Legislature will have 40 days to adopt the proposed amendments to the state civil rights law without change. If the Legislature does not act, or rejects the proposal, it will be submitted to Michigan voters for approval at the November 3, 2020, General Election.