Gretchen Whitmer: 'I've Never Wavered' on Trans Rights — Winning Politics and Protections in Michigan

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she has never wavered in defending transgender and LGBTQ+ rights — and that standing firm has not cost her politically. Speaking to The Advocate just hours before delivering the keynote at the Human Rights Campaign's National Dinner in Washington, D.C., Whitmer pointed to her record of advancing legal protections while winning statewide elections in a competitive swing state.

Record And Rationale

Whitmer framed the debate within the Democratic Party about how to discuss transgender issues as one of principle rather than political calculation. "Michigan is a very swing state, and I've never wavered on these issues, and politically, I've been successful," she told The Advocate. She urged honesty from elected officials: "This is about fundamental freedoms. This is about dignity for people, no matter who you love or how you identify."

Political Context

The remarks come amid internal discussions among Democrats over messaging and policy. Centrist group Third Way recommended avoiding certain terms such as "LGBTQIA+" and "cisgender" in candidate messaging, while a July paper from the Center for American Progress suggested that schools and sports governing bodies, not politicians, should set eligibility rules for transgender athletes — a framework that opposed blanket bans but said restrictions "may be appropriate under some circumstances." Critics warned those proposals risk legitimizing exclusionary policies and shifting focus away from broader civil-rights protections.

"Politicians who target LGBTQ+ people for political gain are willing to hurt a community to score political points," Whitmer said, calling on allies to support "all the members of the community, not turning our backs on anyone."

Concrete Actions

Whitmer highlighted tangible progress in Michigan. In 2023 she signed an expansion of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in employment, housing, education and public accommodations. She noted that she had worked on the measure as a state lawmaker and that Democratic control of the legislature made its passage possible. "I'm really proud that I'm the one that got to sign that into law after working on it for so long," she said, adding that her daughter stood beside her at the signing.

Personal Perspective And Outreach

Whitmer also shared a personal account of how coming out affected her family: even as a longtime ally, she learned firsthand how difficult it can be for a child to come out. "My daughter, when she came out to me, you know, as a longtime ally of the community, it still was hard for my own child to come out," she said. "She wasn't sure how to do it. She deserves to be protected and respected under the law."

To persuade people who have questions about LGBTQ+ issues, Whitmer said she starts by listening and looking for common ground. She pointed to broader efforts in other states to expand protections — for example, a Virginia ballot measure asking voters whether to remove a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and affirm marriage equality.

The Human Rights Campaign's National Dinner at the Washington Hilton brought together hundreds of advocates and supporters to honor LGBTQ+ leaders and raise funds ahead of the midterm elections.