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

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