Issue Position: Equality

Issue Position

We need to ensure Oakland County is welcoming, diverse, and provides every resident with an equal opportunity to thrive. The diversity in our communities is one of our most valuable assets, and supporting that growth is key to ensuring Oakland County continues to compete in the future.

In May, the Civil Rights Commission ruled to interpret the term "sex" in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include both gender identity and sexual orientation for the first time, ensuring LGBTQ residents access to protection from discrimination. However, in July, Bill Schuette ruled that interpretation invalid, once again stripping those protections for LGBTQ residents.

This year, Michigan was the only state in the country determined by the federal government to fail special education students to the level of requiring "intervention."

Oakland County's population is continuing to diversify.

WHAT WE CAN DO

Revise Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to explicitly include protections for LGBTQ residents once and for all
Fully-fund and support special education programs and support career programs for those with special needs to have access to equal opportunity
Invest in education, infrastructure and renew local revenue sharing to allow municipalities to develop to continue attracting diverse populations to Oakland County.

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