I have taken the past couple of days to reflect on how Mike Shirkey and the Republicans in the Michigan State Legislature have contributed to the culture of misogyny and support of the insurrectionist militias that have attacked the U.S. Capitol. But these are not their only sins. They have also victimized and persecuted members of the LGBTQ+ community through their policies and practices, and have contributed to a hostile environment that has led Michigan to be ranked 21st in the nation for LGBTQ+-friendly states.
This is not a new revelation. Michigan has lagged behind other states for years and it is appalling that such hostility remains in the 21st century. This fact is being highlighted now because of the swanky gig that former Speaker of the Michigan House Lee Chatfield was recently anointed to at Southwest Michigan First, an economic development group. It may be of importance to note that Chatfield does not have an economic development background and he is not from the Southwest Michigan area. Regardless, he has been brought on with an annual salary of nearly $750,000.