Gretchen Whitmer on Civil Rights

	Gretchen Whitmer on Civil Rights

Let's repeal outdated laws restricting who you can marry

Let's repeal outdated laws restricting who you can marry. And let's expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act so you can't be fired or evicted because of who you are or how you identify. I called for this in my first State of the State back in 2019. It's about damn time we got it done.

Protecting these freedoms is the right thing to do and it's just good economics. States with extreme laws are losing talent and investment because bigotry is bad for business.

Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature , Jan 25, 2023

When women thrive, we all thrive

When women thrive, we all thrive. However, women of Michigan have been held back by an economy and a state government that does not treat them as equals. Women still struggle with inequity in Michigan's economy, earning just 74 cents for every dollar their male counterparts earn for the same work. I will stand up for women and turn Michigan into a model state for equality. Source: 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial website GretchenWhitmer.com , Mar 24, 2020

Fought for same-sex adoptions and domestic partner benefits

Year after year, in the Senate and as a private citizen, I pushed to expand our civil rights laws to include all people regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. We drew the line when lawmakers tried to exclude transgender people from our civil rights laws. And I fought for same-sex adoptions and domestic partner benefits. Source: 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial website GretchenWhitmer.com , Mar 24, 2020

Ensure overseas ballots from service members are counted

Promoting universal voter access, because it is too hard to register and to vote in Michigan, and as a result, fewer people do it. Everyone who applies for a driver's license or state ID should be automatically registered to vote, and any registered voters should be able to vote absentee or by mail. As a legislator, I fought to ensure valid ballots from our service members overseas were counted, to prevent voters from being turned away at the polls, and to allow same-day voter registration. Source: 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial website GretchenWhitmer.com , Mar 24, 2020

Coronavirus: Exempt places of worship, no jurisdiction

Whitmer touted the "aggressive actions" her state has taken to combat the spread of the virus. The governor was then pressed by "exemption" that groups of 50 or more people can still gather in places of worship, which she herself discourages but pointed to the "separation of church and state" and that the "Republican legislature" urged her to clarify that the state government had no jurisdiction over religious establishments. "We are encouraging people though do not congregate."

"We can't have half-truths or hyperbole convince people that this isn't to be taken seriously. If you're not serious, you're woefully uneducated about what we are confronting as a nation," she continued. "And that's why I'm trying to implore everyone to take this seriously. Do your part. Every one of us, whether you're asymptomatic and healthy today or you're someone who is medically vulnerable, has to do their part- washing your hands, social distancing, all of the practices from the CDC."

Source: Fox News Sunday interview for 2020 Michigan Governor race , Mar 22, 2020

2013: repeal Michigan's same-sex marriage ban

Q: Support gay marriage?

Bill Schuette (R): No. Defended voter-enacted marriage ban as "a simple recognition that biology matters." But will respect Supreme Court decision allowing it.

Gretchen Whitmer (D): Yes. Introduced 2013 bill to repeal Michigan's same-sex marriage ban, two years before Supreme Court legalized gay marriage.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Michigan Governor race , Oct 9, 2018

Guarantee equal pay for equal work

When women thrive, we all thrive. Women in Michigan earn 74 cents for every dollar their male counterparts make for the same work. As Governor, I will demand equal pay for equal work to support women and their families in an economy that increasingly requires two paychecks to pay the bills and where a growing number of women are the sole income earners. Source: 2018 Michigan Gubernatorial website GretchenWhitmer.com , Nov 1, 2017

Expand civil rights laws

Year after year, in the Senate and as a private citizen, I pushed to expand our civil rights laws to include people of all genders, identities, and sexual orientations. We drew the line when lawmakers tried to exclude transgender people from our civil rights laws. And I fought for same-sex adoptions and domestic partner benefits. Source: 2018 Michigan Gubernatorial website GretchenWhitmer.com , Nov 1, 2017

Yes to civil unions or same-sex marriage

Q: Should Michigan recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?

A: Yes.

Q: Should Michigan restrict marriage to a union only between a man and a woman?

A: No.

Q: Should Michigan include sexual orientation in Michigan's anti-discrimination laws?

A: Yes.

Source: 2004 MI Congressional National Political Awareness Test , Nov 1, 2004

Apply affirmative action to state hiring and state colleges

On Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity, or gender be taken into account in state agencies? decisions on Public employment?

A: Yes.

Q: State college and university admissions?

A: Yes.

Q: State contracting?

A: Yes.

Q: Should state colleges and universities receive funding if they use affirmative action in their admission policies?

A: Yes.

Source: 2004 MI Congressional National Political Awareness Test , Nov 1, 2004

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*Other governors on Civil Rights:*			*Gretchen Whitmer on other issues:*
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