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Business

City in Mich. to Host the Midwest’s First ‘LGBT’ Job Expo

Jun. 19, 2012 9:07pm Becket Adams

The city of Ferndale, Mich., whose slogan is “Good Neighbors,” is hosting what many are calling the Midwest’s first lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) job expo.

Almost two dozen companies — including Metlife, Merrill Lynch, General Motors, Chrysler, Comerica Bank, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, The FBI Detroit Branch, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan — have signed on to participate in the event.

Mark McMillian, who works with the advocacy group Affirmations, said the idea behind the job fair is to provide members of the LGBT community with “an open, safe environment to look for a job without fear of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity,” according to CBS Detroit.

According to McMillian, members of the LGBT community lack protection in regards to workplace discrimination.

“[M]eaning they can be passed over for a job, and even fired, for their sexual orientation, without any legal recourse,” CBS Detroit adds.

Considering the expo’s proximity to Detroit, whose unemployment rate is a shocking 16.9 percent, and the fact that it’s open to people from all over the Midwest, it’s safe to assume there will be a high turnout. But this raises an interesting question: Do you have to be a member of the LGBT community to attend?

The answer is “no.” The event is open to everyone.

“[T]he Job Expo is open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation,” McMillian told The Blaze in an email. “As a matter of fact, all of our programs and services are open to the public.”

“Affirmations is hoping to create a safe, welcoming environment for members of the LGBT community since, currently, we can be fired for being Gay or Lesbian in Michigan,” he added.

Front page photo source: Beyond Credentials

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Comments (80)

Watermain
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:39am
Really, gay, lesbian and transgender “people” matter in the real world?
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- eatyourveggies
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 2:51am
  The-Monk, if you don’t mind, could you share that AIDS cure? It sounds very interesting.
  
  Report this comment
- Stoic one
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 4:06am
  MONK,
  
  I properly collected unemployment insurance until it ran out; because I paid into unemployment insurance for nearly Seventeen years.The insurance ran out I knew the time and had already restructured our financial picture. I took the first offer after it ran out. Currently earn 70% of what I earned 2 Yrs ago. I await 1st the Supreme court and then the elections in November.
  
  Report this comment
- Bryan B
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 5:39am
  If thats the case, then over half of U.S. Veterans as a whole could not Vote. And more then 50% of the Afghabistan and Iraq Veterans have applyed for SSI Disability……
  
  Report this comment
- lukerw
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 7:07am
  @BRYAN…
  You are saying… that the 4% Gay statistical number… means they are all in the Military?
  
  Report this comment
- Bryan B
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 7:54am
  @lukerw
  
  No not at all, considering only between 3% or 4% of the U.S. population is homosexual. I have no idea how many homosexuals are currently serving or have served in the U.S. military (all Branches), as far as I know, there are no statistics…..
  
  Report this comment
- Bum thrower
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:06pm
  Great opportunity for all those with ’LGBT Studies” degrees; Wonder if the DNC is gonna have a booth; or the Obama Campaign?? Barney Frank should be there to get folks to enlist in the ‘Fighting 69th’….The Barney Frank Battalion……..”Death From Behind”; they lead “from the rear”…….
  
  YOU can’t make this stuff up!!1
  
  Report this comment
- Kavana
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 2:05pm
  Yes they do.
  
  Report this comment
- woodyb
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 2:38pm
  With all of the BLO jobs that will be offered, and accepted, this should really lower the unemployment rate!!!!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- LetUsReason
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 2:49pm
  Hmm…I can get behind this. That way you can know exactly who you DON’T want to hire. I have personal experience seeing how hiring a transgender is done for the sake of “fairness” and “diversity”…..only to have that person “leave for other opportunities” because they lacked the skillset necessary for the job they were originally hired for. That said, if the transgender happens to be qualified, then treat them like everyone else. And no Charlotte, you were born Charles, you cannot go to the Ladies’ room.
  
  Report this comment
- The_Cabrito_Goat
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 4:26pm
  I really want to learn of the origin of that statistic. I’ve even seen the number go as high as 9%. I think the way the poll was written counted anyone who had once engaged in homoerotic activity (believe me or dont, it’s quite high among young women) counted as homosexual or bisexualeven if they didn’t identify themselves that way.
  
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Duey2000
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:12am
Um, you can’t discriminate based on sexual orientation. It’s right there in the fair labor act.

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- Michigander
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:58pm
  Thanks, I was going to say that.
  
  Report this comment
paperpushermj
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:49pm
Bewildered in LA.
I can see having a Jobs fair based work experience or some attribute that employers find beneficial.So I sit here with my thinking cap on trying to understand what does someone in the lgbt community have to offer that is special to this Community. I’m stuck so maybe this Jobs Fair is really a Dating Service.

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- rangerp
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:06am
  I hear the carpet mill is looking for taste testers
  
  Report this comment
BellaMia7
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:11pm
Obama has turned out country into a freak show. Seriously, as an employer, I’d be more worried about hiring a liberal than a gay person. I believe in discriminating on the basis of political orientation.

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- TrueSoundsOfLiberty
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:47am
  But you believe in discrimination. At least you’re honest about it.
  
  Report this comment
- Croaker
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 8:16am
  I discriminate constantly on a daily basis. Consciously and unconsciously I decide wether I like something or don’t. I judge pretty much everything and everyone always. I believe this is discrimination. I wonder when it became “evil.” I use discrimination with every decision I make. Seems to be part of survival and helps me to make wise decisions. Do I hire the aggressive looking person with tattos and nose rings? Even if that person is qualified, they don’t have the image I desire for business. It would not be a profitable decision for me(oh yes I also believe in profits). It was that persons choice to get tatoos and nose rings, I will hire the guy who is clean cut.
  
  Sometime i think that some people who have poor work ethics or don’t wish to comply with my company image, but happen to be gay, focus on the gay part. Even though I fired or didnt hire because of image or ethic they will accuse me of “discrimination” against gays. they use their gayness as an excuse for their lack of work ethic or image.
  
  We all discriminate, it is a natural essential part of being human. Go ahead and start an all gay company where you don’t discriminate against sexual identity OR work ethic or appearance. You will not offer much competition to me. If you don’t hire me I won’t complain or feel slighted, in fact I will defend your right to do so(or not do so).
  
  Know what you believe and why you belive it.
  
  Report this comment
HorseCrazy
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:45pm
Maybe I should be a black mexican transexual that snuck across the border so I can get all the whiny tax beneifts and pity. oh to be of the prefered liberal mix of idiocy.

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- joe conservative
  Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:10pm
  It’s never about equal rights with these liberal movements; it’s about “special” rights. Where I live they are trying to pass a special rights bill for the LGBT community. The city council says it will bring in new business…….really? How does that work? So according to their logic, businesses are just standing by waiting to flood the city as soon as they pass a LGBT special rights measure. These groups are amazing in their propaganda. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-WWrGHn5QQ
  
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Bete Noire
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:28pm
How many interior decorators, wedding planners or hairstylist do they need in Michigan????

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- lukerw
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 9:07am
  Great ID Pic!
  
  Actually, given Ferndale, Port Huron, and other cities… I would have thought Michigan would be Exporting their Services!
  
  Report this comment
alpha2omega47
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:25pm
Only dysfunctional freaks need apply. These people are all sick in the head.

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OklahomaBound
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:24pm
Should have called it ‘Hire A ***” instead of a job expo.

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RhetoricalQuestion
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:59pm
If it’s open to everyone, then why not just refer to it as a “Job Expo?”

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- PASSIONFORCHRIST
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:17pm
  Because it’s really not for the PUBLIC! THAT’S WHY IT SAYS lgbt job expo.
  
  Report this comment
OlefromMN
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:51pm
Why didn’t I think of it first? This is exactly the beginning we have been looking for to jump-start our economy!

(sarcasm-off). What in the heck? This is going to be the campaign summer that we are now entering. Every special-interest group will be highlighted and the American people will be just shoved into the background. I pray that Jon McNaughton’s piece “The Empowered Man” actually has a chance to come to fruition.

I was really optimistic earlier in the day until I read this story. Too many people are still trying to carve out their own individual piece of the pie in order to make sure they have a larger piece than those who are reluctant and therefor slower. How about passing your piece of the pie down the line until somebody that really needs it can eat?

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drenfroe
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:47pm
So, now to be gay, ect means you can discriminate against all others. Special treatment.

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bravjim
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:46pm
That is a load of crap about them not being able to get jobs or being allowed to be fired just for being gay. I’ve known plenty of gay people, have worked with plenty of gays in the past. Ain’t never seen one fired for being gay. More likely, their being fired for not doing their jobs or doing something stupid at work, and therefore blame the mgr or owner for being gay. It’s the same crap they like to lay on conservatives not wanting them to have civil rights.

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Tri-ox
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:43pm
I think I would rather have a PB&J or BLT job.

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Rayblue
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:42pm
I remember when gays were hired solely for their workability.
For their job performance.
Not for some crybaby, protected civil rights puckishness.

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- Kisses6350
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:57pm
  Guess ya’ll know how African American’s feel………………..***Smriks*** Wow, aint seen folks to mad since……………….Oboma got in office!!!!!!!!!!! lmaooooooooooo Priceless!
  
  Report this comment
Detroit paperboy
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:39pm
Ferndale has a high gay population……… But there’s a great pizza place named Como’s……..love it !!! Been goin there since I was 15…..

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CrismaFire
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:39pm
I am definitely against homosexuality but I don’t hate gays just hate what they do. I know they need jobs and even if they are fruit cakes as long as they can do the job I would hire them. I hope some of them get some really good paying jobs from this.

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capitalismrocks
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:33pm
Again the Liberals and their pathetic mentality…. everyone has to be labelled, everyone has to be put in a box, everyone has to be treated separately… so we can all be together…. they put the MORON in oxy-morons with this stupidity…

Why do LGTB’s need to have a job fair?!?!?!? Is being gay or lesbian or transtestical supposed to give them different or worse or better job skills. How about just focusing on jobs skills, not on “Hey I’m gay” or “Im lesbian” or “hey I’ve got a penis, or had a penis a lopped it off”

Who cares!!!!! If you aren’t qualified, doesn’t matter if you straight, white, christian, gun toting, bible thumping, virgin, libertarian, off the grid, living in a bunker with 5 years of food insurance supplies…. you ain’t get’n the job !!!!

Lets stop with the African Americans, Irish Americans, Catholic Americans, LGBT Americans…. we are ALL Americans (EXCEPT FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS — GO HOME) this is the Great American Melting Pot, jump in and become an AMERICAN, no labels, get out of the ticky-tacky liberal boxes they’ve created and throw the labels away and just be AMERICANS !!!

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- godhatesacoward
  Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:29pm
  Amen!
  
  Report this comment
- godhatesacoward
  Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:00pm
  Simple common sense can cure this disorder.
  
  Report this comment
- Kisses6350
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 11:41am
  Well said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree!
  
  Report this comment
chips1
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:32pm
Do they have I.D. cards or do they have to prove it?

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- MRMANN
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 6:00am
  Excellent point!
  
  Report this comment
- Kavana
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:58pm
  just read. It says open for all.
  
  Report this comment
kung
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:31pm
I don’t give a crap. Let the Muslims sort it out.

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barbiegirl ny
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:30pm
It’s too bad they’re not having this in Dearborn.

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- spirited
  Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:35pm
  …and some pork and beans
  
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- spirited
  Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:36pm
  and tomato salad
  
  Report this comment
barber2
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:28pm
And just what does this “LGBT” label have to do with job qualifications ? What a stupid waste of time . Bet the Holder DOJ is focused on this even tough our borders and our economy are in serious trouble. Glad the ” greatest generation” is gone. Today, they would now be the ” greatest Upset generation.” So now he focus is on one’s ” sexual orientation?” What ever happened to ones ‘ ability to do the job well ? Oh, 1960′s ? Affirmative Action ? Sad mess.

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CatB
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:20pm
Have to say .. I do not miss “living” in Michigan.

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- muffythetuffy
  Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:29pm
  These Homosexual Job Fares Have Been Going On For Several Years
  
  In major cities there are usually two job fares held each day. One in the morning for white suckers and another in the afternoon for blacks, tans, and homosexuals. The afternoon session is where the real jobs are offered. Strait white males should just go to the homosexual sessions that is unless applicants are required to prove they are homosexual.
  
  Report this comment
- MAMMY_NUNN
  Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:40pm
  Bad enough to openly hire a gay and then get sued for calling them a gay.
  
  Report this comment
- Vickie Dhaene
  Posted on June 20, 2012 at 10:11am
  I don’t miss Michigan either. I have a lot of family still there and I pray for them everyday.
  
  Report this comment
perry1980
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:18pm
What kind of “job” will they get

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- spirited
  Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:38pm
  a blow by blow of what to say and ask at an interview.
  
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Psychosis
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:16pm
yep, i STILL dont really care what less than 2 % of the countries population do in the bedroom

and im fresh out of grease so stop the da.mn squeaking

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Red Meat
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:16pm
I’ll be holding my white American middle aged male job expo in August.

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- spirited
  Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:20pm
  Black this and that
  Latino this and that…
  
  >white caucus –anyone?
  
  Report this comment

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