Michigan Group Expands Effort to Bar Anti-Gay Bias

A coalition of business and civil rights leaders is expanding an effort to lobby Michigan's Legislature to make it illegal to discriminate against gay and transgender people.

The Michigan Competitive Workforce Coalition last week unveiled its Freedom Michigan campaign and website as lawmakers began their "lame-duck" session.

Advocates are hoping that by year's end, the Republican-led Legislature will update the state's civil rights law to include protections for gay and transgender residents. They say discrimination is wrong and hurts Michigan's ability to attract talent.

The Freedom Michigan campaign plans to deploy organizers to key districts to keep the pressure on legislators.

GOP leaders have indicated an interest in sending legislation to Gov. Rick Snyder. But some Republicans have concerns about infringing on people's religious beliefs.