In a collective expression of support for LGBTQ students, over 100 leaders from various faith traditions have come together to affirm that Michigan’s children deserve equal protection and treatment in their schools under the law.
April 26, 2016 – Detroit, MI – Today 103 Michigan faith leaders across multiple denominations have signed an open letter to Michigan lawmakers affirming their support for the safety and well-being of all students. The letter was written in response to the recent threats of legislative backlash following the Michigan State Board of Education Statement and Guidance on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Students guidance released for public comment on March 14th of this year, since extended to May 11, 2016 (http://everyvoicecountsmi.org/).
State Senator Tom Casperson, among a small number of conservative state lawmakers, have announced plans to issue various measures, including a possible “bathroom inspection” bill targeting transgender students, in direct response to the guidance. From Atlanta and Three Rivers to Bad Axe and Detroit, leaders of many faith walks throughout Michigan have responded with a firm “no” to any such legislative proposals, siding with LGBTQ students and those children’s parents and allies.
“As a priest in the Episcopal Church and as someone with a personal stake in seeking justice and equality for LGBTQ people—especially, in this case, transgender students—I wholeheartedly endorse adopting policies in our schools to respect the dignity of LGBTQ students and to ensure their physical and emotional safety,” says the Rev. Dan Scheid of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Flint, MI.