UnMarried Partner Benefit Provision (Michigan)

State Representative Dave Agema (of Grandville Michigan), moved his proposal into the Senate on May 5th, 2011, pulling funding from public universities across the state. Agema's recent amendment to an education budget bill will penalize our state schools and universities five percent if they offer any kind of financial assistance or domestic partner benefits to lesbian, gay, and unmarried couples. This is on top of an additional fifteen percent in other cuts proposed by Governor Rick Snyder... This is homophobia in action and it is hurting our state, and our children.

Michigan's unemployment rate continues to rank worst in the nation. Thousands have lost their jobs and their pensions cut, and anyone with a job is in fear of being the next on the chopping block. We've also been steadily losing population since 2006, according to the 2010 census report. Everyone knows someone who has moved out of state seeking greener pastures.

Our state desperately needs to attract young people as so many choose to attend schools and find much needed experience out of state. The homophobia isn't helping. The Grand Rapids Press pointed out in a recent editorial that opposition to gay and lesbian partner benefits is the "wrong direction for Michigan as it seeks to broaden its appeal to young people in particular."

We must recruit and educate the best and the brightest talent for our area schools and universities; Not push people away with discriminatory measures. The generation of our parents helped put the world on wheels; we cannot allow a bigoted amendment to stop our path to progress.

Luckily, there are signs of hope from the Corporate Equality Index, which rates many of our nation's leading companies on inclusive policies and benefits. The Big Three, for example, have always ranked at the top, recognizing the critical need to train and attract the best work force on the planet; including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Of the four companies in America jumping more than 30 points to attain 100 percent scores in 2011, two are from west Michigan: Steelcase Inc. and Kellogg Co. Both are leading the way in the private sector with a strong corporate ethos that recognizes that for their employees, this isn't about "rights." It's about punching the clock and making sure their partner can get a mammogram or their kid can get a cavity filled.

Even President Gerald R. Ford, Grand Rapids' "hometown son," advocated for acceptance and recognition of for our gay brothers and sisters. In 2002, Ford joined the advisory board of the Republican Unity Coalition, a group of gay and straight allies working for more acceptance of LGBT Americans and issues within the Republican Party. At the time, Ford was asked by Detroit News reporter Deb Price if gay couples should receive equal benefits and he replied, "I think they ought to be treated equally. Period."

Mr. Agema should look to our corporate neighbors and our local leaders and stop his legislative gay-bashing. Life is already full of challenges.

Hopefully, Dave Agema and other legislators will realize that laws that reinforce stigma don't just kill jobs in our state, they can kill people.We must end the bullying and Mr. Agema's crusade against gay and lesbian people.


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[primogennaio]

I favor gay marriage, but Michigan is its own worst enemy. The only state to lose population according to the 2010 census. Michigan is heavily Democratic and went for Obama. Obama has had his chance and has made the economy tank. The auto industry is a disgrace. Your high unemployment is due to lousy economy and liberal voting patterns. Don't blame homophobes, blame how you vote.

[PhilosoPheebs]

Hey Aaron!

Yeah, that is just outrageous!

and what's more upsetting is that this kind of homophobia injected into OUR city, state and country's legislation, isn't even surprising... that's just sad. I'm glad that you made it the subject of your video and are bringing light to it; I wish you didn't have to... these homophobic politicians do NOT represent their constituents or the majority of the country!