Legal Discrimination Could Soon Be a Reality in Michigan
Michigan lawmakers want to legalize discrimination. Seriously, Michigan House Republicans introduced a piece of legislation last week that allows anyone, including physicians, to refuse services based on religious affiliation.
This ridiculous measure is called the Religious Freedom Law, and it would allow professionals the legal right to discriminate against people based on religious beliefs. Under this bill, pharmacists could refuse to fill birth control or HIV prescriptions; EMT’s could refuse to resuscitate a gay person; a teacher could chose not to teach a student parented by a gay couple; and a DMV clerk could simply not issue a person a driver’s license if they knew they were divorced, according to The New Civil Rights Movement.
The bill was fast-tracked by Michigan Speaker Jase Bolger, which passed 59-50. It is now on its way to the Michigan Senate. If it passes there, it goes before Governor Rick Snyder for a signature or veto.