Today, Michigan’s Governor Rick Snyder signed into law a series of discriminatory, RFRA-style bills that allow taxpayer funded adoption and foster care agencies to turn away parents on religious grounds—including parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
The bill signing comes just months after Governor Snyder, in response to the national uproar following the passage of Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act, told the Detroit Free Press that he would vet any stand-alone RFRA bill in Michigan:
“Given all the events that are happening in Indiana, I thought it would be good to clarify my position. I would veto RFRA legislation in Michigan if it is a standalone piece of legislation.”
Our campaign manager Matt McTighe released this statement in response to this shameful legislation:
“Despite promises to the contrary and strong opposition from Michigan’s business and faith communities, as well as the public at large, Gov. Snyder signed RFRA-like anti-adoption bills into law. Under these new laws, taxpayer backed adoption agencies can legally discriminate against capable and loving parents, simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Sadly, these laws will prevent some of the state’s most helpless children from being placed in safe, loving homes.
“What happened today in Michigan is part of a growing trend that we’re seeing in states across the nation. Due to the public’s backlash against Indiana’s RFRA-law, states are now trying to push a piecemeal approach to codify discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.”
This week in Michigan is just the latest sign that our work to protect LGBT Americans from discrimination is far from over. Freedom for All Americans will continue working alongside our partners in Michigan—including the Freedom Michigan campaign—to ensure that soon, all Michiganders are protected from discrimination under the law.