Attorney General Praises Supreme Court Decision, Says More Work Is Needed

dananessel2-13
dananessel2-13

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says the U.S. Supreme Court decision extending workplace protections to LGBTQ Americans is a “major victory for civil rights.” Following the Monday announcement, Nessel said the high court found that under federal law, “an employer cannot fire someone simply for being gay or transgender.” However, she says this leaves questions about Michigan law.

“It remains unclear whether that will be the case or not under Elliott Larsen, which is our state’s civil rights act,” Nessel told Michigan News Network.

Nessel says the Elliott Larsen Act should be amended to include LGBTQ Michiganders, noting it would mean protections that go beyond just employment. She says the Supreme Court decision only covers employment, but not areas like housing or healthcare. In 2019, Nessel joined a coalition of attorneys general who filed a brief in the Supreme Court arguing Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination against transgender people or on the basis of sexual orientation.