Michigan Psychological Association

Resolution Supporting Kalamazoo Anti-Discrimination Ordinance

Adopted: January 21, 2009

WHEREAS

• Eighty-nine percent of Americans believe that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people should be protected from being unfairly fired (Gallup poll, May 2007); and

• Employment protection is about protecting hardworking Americans from being unfairly fired; and

• Scientific surveys since the mid-1990’s indicate that between 2.25 million and 6.5 million gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans have suffered unfair employment practices based on their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression; and

• Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell said “My intent is that we will have an ordinance that will provide protections to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals,” and

WHEREAS

• discrimination and prejudice against people based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender expression detrimentally affects mental health as well as physical, social, and economic well-being; and

WHEREAS

• psychologists are in a position to influence policies and practices in public and private settings; and
• psychological research has the potential to inform treatment, service provision, civil rights and approaches to promoting the well-being of transgender and gender variant people; and
• MPA has a history of successful collaboration with other organizations to meet particular populations’ mental health needs, including the needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender population

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT MPA opposes all public and private discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity and expression and urges the enactment of anti-discriminatory laws and policies in all jurisdictions in the State of Michigan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT MPA supports the passage of laws and policies protecting the rights, legal benefits, and privileges of people of all gender identities and expressions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT MPA supports full access to employment, housing, and education regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT MPA encourages psychologists to take a leadership role in working against discrimination towards gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT MPA supports cooperation with other organizations in efforts to accomplish these ends.

For questions or further information, please contact:
Judith Kovach, PhD, Executive Director executivedirector@michiganpsychologicalassociation.org