Michigan May Soon Get 'License to Discriminate'

The state of Michigan may soon write discrimination into law with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, legislation that would allow those with deeply held religious beliefs to discriminate against those who don't share those beliefs.

Towleroad reports that on Thursday, December 4, Michigan's House of Representatives decided to move forward with the House Bill 5958, following a Republican-dominated 59-50 vote.

The legislation, introduced by Michigan House Speaker Jase Bolger, would allow service providers to use their religious beliefs as legal defense in lawsuits involving LGBT discrimination. It has been sent along for a vote to the Michigan Senate.

Although Bolger claims the law won't negatively impact the LGBT community, pointing to Bill Clinton's 1992 Religious Freedom Restoration Act as precedence, Michigan Democrats have concerns that it will give conservative forces open season on anti-gay discrimination.

And The Detroit News reports that this could put people's lives and well-being in jeopardy.

Democratic Rep. Vicki Barnett said the legislation could create the right for people to discriminate against those who don't share their religious beliefs, citing the case of a pharmacist who refuses to dispense drugs.

"I should not be forced to follow the religion of my pharmacist," said Barnett.

And Frederick Hoffman, an attorney at Clark Hill PLC in Detroit who is part of the Michigan Competitive Workforce Coalition, a group of 80 businesses urging the Legislature add gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender under the umbrella of the state's anti-discrimination law, said that the law could hamper business in the state.

"Any changes in this law that could send a signal -- real or perceived -- that Michigan is less open and could negatively impact our business community," said Hoffman.