JACKSON, Mich. — A group of pastors in Jackson, Mich., have started a petition to remove Bishop Ira Combs Jr. from the Michigan Civil Rights Commission.
MLive.com reported that as of early Wednesday, Feb. 14, 80 people had signed the online petition. It includes at least eight Jackson-area clergy, including petition creator The Rev. Cynthia Landrum, pastor of Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty. The petition calls for Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to remove Burns from the commission. Burns has opposed LGBTQ rights in recent years, including a non-discrimination ordinance in Jackson and marriage equality.
From MLive.com:
“It’s absolutely inappropriate as an appointment,” Landrum said. “For a state to have its highest body that looks at civil rights have a person who’s a known opponent to the equality and rights of LGBT people, sends a message to the entire LGBT population of this state and of this country that Michigan doesn’t care about civil rights for gay people.”
It was sent to Snyder’s office and all state senators on Tuesday, Feb. 13, Landrum said.
Snyder defended his appointment last week, saying Combs has “done some good things there to help support people” and that “people can learn from having different perspectives.”
You can add your own signature to the petition here.
