- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Legal
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✔ Legal, no restrictions
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✔ Legal
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✔ Recognized
- Discrimination
- ✔ Illegal
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Adoption
- ✔ Legal
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✔ Banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
Surveys in Michigan have shown mixed views towards LGBTQ+ rights and issues.
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Homosexual activity in Michigan is legal.
Current status
Since Jun 26, 2003
Legal
The US Supreme Court's ruling issued in Lawrence v. Texas (2003) struck down all sodomy laws on the basis of privacy and liberty. The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy. Michigan has not yet repealed its sodomy ban.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Michigan is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
No laws currently censor LGBTQ issues.
However, as of late 2021, two bills had been introduced in the House that would limit discussions in school around race and gender. Additionally, in early 2022, GOP House candidate Jon Rocha and GOP gubernatorial candidate James Craig both announced intent to introduce “Don’t Say Gay” legislation if elected.
However, as of late 2021, two bills had been introduced in the House that would limit discussions in school around race and gender. Additionally, in early 2022, GOP House candidate Jon Rocha and GOP gubernatorial candidate James Craig both announced intent to introduce “Don’t Say Gay” legislation if elected.
Right to change legal gender in Michigan is legal, no restrictions.
Current status
Since Jun 30, 2021
Legal, no restrictions
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel declared unconstitutional a state law requiring sex-reassignment surgery to change the sex designation on a birth certificate.
Legal, but requires surgery
Michigan Compiled Law 333.2831(c) allowed citizens to change the sex designation on birth certificates with an affidavit of a physician certifying that sex-reassignment surgery had been performed.
Gender-affirming care in Michigan is legal.
Current status
Legal
There have been multiple attempts to ban the practice for minors however there are currently no laws or policies preventing minors from accessing gender-affirming care in Michigan.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Michigan is recognized.
Current status
Since Nov 2, 2021
Recognized
Michigan does recognize gender X marker on all passports and all government IDs. 2021 Governor Whitmer has stated in a letter to her staff saying that she is allowing people to get X markers on drivers licenses and passports, as well as birth certificates.
In 2022, US State Government allows all passports to have gender marker X. This is only for passports and not for other government issued ids, it is still states discretion for gender markers as of 2024
In 2022, US State Government allows all passports to have gender marker X. This is only for passports and not for other government issued ids, it is still states discretion for gender markers as of 2024
LGBT discrimination in Michigan is illegal.
Current status
Since Mar 16, 2023
Illegal
Legislation was passed to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (originally passed in 1976). All citizens of Michigan now receive "equal treatment under the law" regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
LGBT employment discrimination in Michigan is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Jun 15, 2020
Sexual orientation only
President Trump's Department of Justice and the EEOC revoked protections for gender identity in employment discrimination. No private sector protections exist; however, in 2019, Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order prohibiting discrimination in all areas of employment by the state government or by any contractors or grant recipients.
Sexual orientation and gender identity
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has ruled that “[A]llegations of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation necessarily state a claim of discrimination on the basis of sex”, and are barred by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This ruling applies at both the state and federal levels. No statewide protections exist for the private sector.
Gender identity only
In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No statewide protections exist for the private sector.
LGBT housing discrimination in Michigan is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Jul 28, 2022
Sexual orientation and gender identity
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the state’s 1976 Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Such includes protection in sectors including employment, housing, education and public accommodations.
Until Jul 28, 2022
No protections
This state does not provide any legal protections from discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identification.
However, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity.
HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted
housing in every state (March 2012)."
However, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity.
HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted
housing in every state (March 2012)."
Same-sex adoption in Michigan is legal.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2018
Legal
Under Gay adoption legalization under the supreme court.
Single adoption, joint adoption by married couples and second parent adoption by married couples all allowed.
However, Michigan allows adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBT individuals on the basis of faith.
Single adoption, joint adoption by married couples and second parent adoption by married couples all allowed.
However, Michigan allows adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBT individuals on the basis of faith.
Until Jan 1, 2018
Single only
Any individual may petition for adoption per Mich. Probate Code §710.24.
Second-adoption had been approved in some lower courts, but the chief judge stopped these approvals in Washtenaw County.
Second-adoption had been approved in some lower courts, but the chief judge stopped these approvals in Washtenaw County.
Intersex infant surgery in Michigan is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Michigan's failed 2023 ban on gender-affirming care for minors by defining it as child abuse specifically allows for surgery on intersex infants.
Serving openly in military in Michigan is legal.
Current status
Since Mar 18, 2025
Legal under federal United States law
On the evening of March 18th, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes blocked the implementation of Trump's executive order banning transgender people from the military. The judge said that not only was the order unconstitutional but “a solution in search of a problem.”.
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth filed in court a memo on February 10th, 2025 relating to President Trump’s executive order from the previous month.
From now on, The U.S. military will prohibit transgender individuals from enlisting, and will cease providing or supporting gender transition procedures for service members.
From now on, The U.S. military will prohibit transgender individuals from enlisting, and will cease providing or supporting gender transition procedures for service members.
Legal under federal United States law
President Joe Biden removed former President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military, and transgender people are still allowed to serve as of 2025.
In January of 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that bans transgender people from serving in the military. However, before his executive order can take effect, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth needs to submit a plan on how the military will implement the order.
In January of 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that bans transgender people from serving in the military. However, before his executive order can take effect, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth needs to submit a plan on how the military will implement the order.
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
The Trump administration enacted a new policy barring individuals with a "condition" known as "gender dysphoria." from serving in the military.
Legal under federal United States law
In 2011, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed by the Obama Administration. Former President Obama allowed members who were dishonorably discharged under DADT, to receive an honorable discharge.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell under federal United States law
Don't Ask, Don't Tell was the historic compromise signed by President Bill Clinton authorizing people who are LGBT to serve in the military provided they didn't disclose sexuality. The law also removed the ability for others in the military from asking for a service member's orientation.
Blood donations by MSMs in Michigan is legal.
Current status
Since May 11, 2023
Legal under federal United States law
The new FDA policy on blood donation eliminates deferrals and screening questions specific to men who have sex with men (MSM). Prospective donors will be asked the same set of questions regardless of their sex or sexual orientation.
Banned (less than 6-month deferral) under federal United States law
The FDA announced changes to the blood donor eligibility policy in April 2020, reducing the MSM deferral period from 12 months to 3 months. The change came amid the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, where blood was needed urgently.
Banned (1-year deferral) under federal United States law
After a series of recommendations, the FDA has moved to a 12 months deferral.
Banned (indefinite deferral) under federal United States law
Starting in 1983, the United States implemented a full ban on blood donations from gay men. The primary justification for the ban was the perceived high risk of HIV transmission, with health regulators identifying men who have sex with men (MSM) as a significant risk to the safety of the blood supply.
Equal age of consent in Michigan is equal.
Current status
Since Jun 26, 2003
Equal
Age of consent generally in Michigan is 16 to 17 years old, Law does not specifically LGBTQ people in the law. However it is equal for everyone, in the state of Michigan
United States Equality Rank
#146
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