Gov. Jennifer Granholm is relying on a gay rights organization to publicize her historic gay-friendly proclamation she made this week.
On Monday, Granholm declared April 9, 2003, as the Day of Silence in Michigan at the request of the Detroit-based Triangle Foundation, Michigan's leading gay rights advocacy organization. Triangle is calling this measure the first such gay-friendly proclamation to be made by a Michigan governor.
"The governor is absolutely opposed to harassment and discrimination of any kind," Granholm spokeswoman Elizabeth Boyd said. "If we can raise awareness about harassment and discrimination that students face, we're more than willing to do so."
On Wednesday, dozens of MSU students recognized the Day of Silence by passing out literature and holding signs as part of Pride Week, a yearly event to inform the MSU community on lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender issues.
Traditionally, if the governor issues a proclamation at an organization's request, it is up to that organization to publicize the fact, Boyd said.
Executive Director of the Triangle Foundation Jeffrey Montgomery said they've been working with Granholm on the proclamation for the last month.
"This indicates that she understands the significance of the problem and she stands in solidarity with the students who took part in the Day of Silence," Montgomery said, adding the Triangle Foundation accepts the responsibility of publicizing the proclamation.
"She surmised that we would be making the proclamation as public as possible and that she would rely on us to do that."
Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing, said he does sense some legislators are hesitant to introduce measures in support of the LBGT community.
"I don't think we need to be squeamish about civil rights and human rights," he said.
The public seems to be ahead of politicians on issues in the LBGT community, Bernero said.
"There's a growing sense that people don't have to hide their sexual preferences."
Bill Ballenger, editor and publisher of the Lansing-based newsletter Inside Michigan Politics, said there are a lot of legislators who aren't afraid to co-sponsor gay-friendly legislation, but their support for it might end there.
"Co-sponsoring is one thing," he said. "Voting for it is another. That really is a test."
