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Community Challenges

Gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders are discriminated against by government - federal, state, and local. Here are some of our challenges:

• We are not covered by civil rights laws. We are subject to workplace discrimination - hiring, promotion and firing.
• Every one of us is a potential target for homophobes & transphobes, but Michigan's hate crimes law does not protect us.
• AIDS policy, especially funding for care, prevention and research, is the responsibility of our government. Our ongoing pressure is the only thing that will get the job done.
• We cannot marry our lovers. This has practical consequences for health insurance and pensions.
  Michigan state government tries to prevent public universities and local governments from giving their employees domestic partnership benefits.
• In child custody and adoption cases, many judges still show a bias.
• Most schools do not provide a safe environment for lgbt students. Local Boards of Education decide what - if anything - is taught about sexual orientation & gender identity.
• In many places, the police still harass us: for example, "Bag a Fag." Often when we are the victims of crime, the criminal justice system does not work for us.
• Michigan outlaws sodomy for everyone, but straight individuals are never prosecuted.

TO CHANGE THESE POLICIES, WE NEED TO CHANGE THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THEM

Focus on the issues that affect you. Ask yourself, "Who are the decision-makers, and how are they selected?" Lobby the incumbents. If that does not work, defeat them in the next election. We can win elections by identifying people who agree with us and making sure that they vote. Pride PAC has been doing this work since 1986. We would be more effective if we had more people and more money. You can help.

RUN FOR OFFICE IN MICHIGAN