Anti-discrimination amendment heats up Michigan Senate race
SOMEONE DRAW THE LINE: Michigan Democratic state senate candidate Phil Bellfy said he is opposed to religious freedom while discussing an update to Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
By Izzy Lyman | WatchdogWire.com
Phil Bellfy, Democrats’ state Senate candidate for the 37th District of Michigan, was asked during a public forum at North Central Michigan College whether he supported an update to the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act, to include protecting sexual orientation and gender identity.
In response, Bellfy, who is a supporter of the amendment, said, “I want it changed, the Elliott-Larsen Act, to say one thing: No person who’s a citizen of the state of Michigan should be discriminated against for any reason whatsoever. Period.” (Video of his complete remarks below.)
While audience members applauded Bellfy’s statement, Dr. W.L. Spohn, a voter in the 37th District, was troubled with the government overreach implications of the candidate’s remark.
“What he is saying here is that no one may be selective. No one may decide who not to associate with,” Spohn told Watchdog Wire.
“Does that mean that the Detroit Lions are obligated to hire me as a safety, if I apply for the position, even if I am twice as old as James Ihedigbo?” asked Spohn.
The expansion of Michigan’s Elliot-Larsen Act, which prohibits discrimination against protected classes (religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, or marital status) in employment, housing, or places of public accommodation, remains a hot topic.
