LGBTQ Political History in Michigan: From Discrimination to Equality

Michigan’s LGBTQ community has faced a complex political landscape, from discriminatory policies to groundbreaking victories. In 2010, a Republican candidate for Secretary of State made national headlines by targeting transgender individuals, highlighting the challenges LGBTQ Michiganders have faced in their pursuit of equal rights.

The 2010 Paul Scott Controversy

When State Representative Paul Scott announced his candidacy for Michigan Secretary of State in 2010, he made an unusual campaign promise: he would ensure that “transgender individuals will not be allowed to change the sex on their driver’s license in any circumstance.”

Scott, a Republican from Grand Blanc, claimed the policy was about “preventing people who are males genetically from dressing as a woman and going into female bathrooms.” He insisted his mandate would apply even to those who had completely undergone sex reassignment surgery.

Scott also alleged that transgender people were changing their official documents to commit voter fraud and identity theft, though he provided no evidence to support these claims.

The Backlash

LGBTQ advocacy groups responded swiftly and harshly to Scott’s proposals:

Scott’s Democratic opponent, Jocelyn Benson, criticized the approach:

Scott ultimately lost the Republican nomination to Ruth Johnson at the state convention. In 2011, he became one of the first state legislators in Michigan history to be recalled by voters.

A Timeline of LGBTQ Rights in Michigan

The Fight for Civil Rights Protections

For decades, Michigan lacked statewide protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. While some cities and municipalities enacted local ordinances, most LGBTQ Michiganders had no legal recourse if they faced discrimination in employment, housing, or public accommodations.

The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act Expansion

In 2023, Michigan made history by expanding the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes. This marked a major victory after decades of advocacy and came after Democrats won control of both chambers of the legislature and the governor’s office.

Marriage Equality in Michigan

The path to marriage equality in Michigan was long and contentious:

• 2004: Michigan voters approved Proposal 2, a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman, by 59% to 41%
• 2012: A same-sex couple, April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse, filed suit challenging the adoption and marriage bans
• 2014: Federal Judge Bernard Friedman struck down Michigan’s same-sex marriage ban as unconstitutional
• 2015: The U.S. Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision made same-sex marriage legal nationwide, including Michigan

Ongoing Challenges

Despite significant progress, LGBTQ Michiganders continue to face challenges:

• Debates over transgender student policies in schools
• Religious exemption laws that can affect LGBTQ individuals
• Healthcare access for transgender individuals
• Discrimination in rural areas with fewer protections

The Legacy of the Paul Scott Episode

The 2010 Paul Scott controversy serves as a reminder of how recently LGBTQ individuals faced overt political attacks in Michigan. His recall in 2011 — making him one of the first Michigan legislators removed by voters — demonstrated that even in conservative areas, there were limits to anti-LGBTQ rhetoric.

Today, Jocelyn Benson, who ran against Scott’s positions in 2010, serves as Michigan’s Secretary of State, having won election in 2018 and re-election in 2022.