Senate Republicans gave the Mitten state a surprise smack in the face when they signed Matt's Safe Law, after 14 year old Matt Epling committed suicide in 2002 because of anti-gay bullying in school. The law passed the senate with 26 Republican votes and 11 Democrat votes, and has moved on to the lower house. The bill "does not prohibit a statement of a sincerely held belief or moral conviction."
In other words, if the bully finds a moral or religious reason for tormenting his/her victim that's OK under Michigan law.
Senator Gretchen Whitmer responded to the passing of the bill, saying that the bill "has set us back farther, creating a blue print for bullying." Epling's father, Kevin Epling, is outraged at the law and is "ashamed" of it. He uploaded a Youtube video on Nov. 3 to express his opinions about the law that uses his son's name. He has also called the bill "government-sanctioned bigotry."
Whitmer wrote in a release that, "the Senate Republicans chose to play politics with this critically important issue that resulted in a bill that would actually leave Michigan’s students less protected than they already are."
Since the bill has passed on Nov. 2, Michigan Republican's are willing to compromise. Speaker of the House, Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, plans to "bring everyone in the middle of the road and provide protection to all students." Bolger even wrote on his Twitter to say, "Bullying is wrong & the reason for bullying should not make it worse nor excused."
Gay, transgender, straight, white, black, Native American, Jewish or Christian, no matter who you are or what you believe in, no one deserves bullying. End of story.
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