In an opinion issued 7/28/22, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled in Rouch World, LLC and Uprooted Electrolysis, LLC v Dept. of Civil Rights and the Director of the Dept. of Civil Rights that the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), MCL 37.2101, et seq. includes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

This encompasses protections in employment, housing, real estate and the full and equal utilization of public accommodations, public services and educational facilities.

This case arose out of two women wanting to have a same-sex marriage at an event center owned by Rouch Work. Defendant declined, the owners explained that hosting and participating in a same-sex wedding ceremony violated their sincerely held religious belief that marriage is a sacred act of worship between a man and a woman.

The second case arose when Uprooted denied hair removal services to a transgender woman. Again, the defendant argued that providing these services would violate her sincerely held religious beliefs as sex is an immutable gift from God.

Obviously, based on the Court’s ruling, sincerely held religious beliefs do not allow you to deny services to members of the public and violated their civil rights.

By: Karen B. Berkery

Any information included here or through our web site is presented solely for general informational purposes and is not in any way intended as legal advice, is not a substitute for getting actual legal advice from an attorney, and should not be acted upon as legal advice without first seeking qualified professional counsel specific to your needs and situation. Additionally, by providing this general information and the information on our web site, no attorney client relationship is created.

Court Rules Michigan Civil Rights Law Prohibits Discrimination Based On Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Key Contacts

Related Services