US: Michigan gay rights campaigners launch hunger strikes
Gay rights campaigners in Michigan, US, are launching an 100-day shift-based hunger strike to protest against the state’s “extreme anti-gay environment”.
The strikers, from eight gay rights organisations, will fast for 24 hours at a time at LGBT centre Affirmations in Ferndale. The shifts end on election day.
David Garcia, executive director of Affirmations in Ferndale, told MLive: “We’re trying to educate our straight allies about the extreme anti-equality environment in this state.
“One could argue that Michigan is the Mississippi of the civil rights movement when it comes to gay equality. We are constantly behind on many issues, and many people don’t know it.”
Mr Garcia said that gay and trans people cannot marry in Michigan, adopt children together or share benefits. He added that they are not protected by anti-discrimination or anti-hate crime laws.
“When the majority of the community knows, they get angry,” he said. “And then we’re going to let them know how they can help.”
