Michigan
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Michigan is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly 97,000 sq mi (250,000 km2), Michigan is the 10th-largest state by population, the 11th-largest by area, and the largest by area east of the Mississippi River. Its capital is Lansing, and its largest city is Detroit. Metro Detroit is among the nation's most populous and largest metropolitan economies. Its name derives from a gallicized variant of the original Ojibwe word ᒥᓯᑲᒥ (mishigami), meaning "large water" or "large lake".
Michigan consists of two peninsulas. The Lower Peninsula resembles the shape of a mitten and comprises most of the state's land area. The Upper Peninsula (often called "the U.P.") is separated from the Lower Peninsula by the Straits of Mackinac, a five-mile (8 km) channel that joins Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. The Mackinac Bridge connects the peninsulas. Michigan has the longest freshwater coastline of any political subdivision in the world, being bordered by four of the five Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair. It also has 64,980 inland lakes and ponds. Michigan has the second-most water of any state, behind only Alaska.
The area was first occupied by a succession of Native American tribes over thousands of years. In the 17th century, French explorers claimed it as part of the New France colony, when it was largely inhabited by indigenous peoples. French and Canadian traders and settlers, Métis, and others migrated to the area, settling largely along the waterways. After France's defeat in the French and Indian War in 1762, the region came under British rule. Britain ceded the territory to the newly independent United States after Britain's defeat in the American Revolutionary War.
The area was part of the larger Northwest Territory until 1800 when western Michigan became part of the Indiana Territory. Michigan Territory was formed in 1805, but some of the northern borders with Canada were not agreed upon until after the War of 1812. Michigan was admitted into the Union in 1837 as the 26th state, a free one. It soon became an important center of industry and trade in the Great Lakes region, attracting immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries from many European countries. Immigrants from Finland, Macedonia, and the Netherlands were especially numerous.
Although Michigan has developed a diverse economy, in the early 20th century, it became widely known as the center of the U.S. automotive industry, which developed as a major national economic force. It is home to the country's three major automobile companies (whose headquarters are all in Metro Detroit). Once exploited for logging and mining, today, the sparsely populated Upper Peninsula is important for tourism due to the abundance of natural resources. The Lower Peninsula is a center of manufacturing, forestry, agriculture, services, and high-tech industry.
Entymology
Its name derives from a gallicized variant of the original Ojibwe word ᒥᓯᑲᒥ (mishigami), meaning "large water" or "large lake".
Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community in Michigan
Attitudes toward LGBTQ+ individuals in Michigan have evolved significantly, reflecting a complex interplay of progressive legislation, growing public support, and ongoing challenges.
- Public Opinion & Social Climate
Recent surveys indicate increasing support for LGBTQ+ rights among Michiganders. A 2023 poll by the Public Religion Research Institute found that 69% of Michigan residents support same-sex marriage, while 78% favor nondiscrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Additionally, 66% oppose allowing businesses to refuse service to LGBTQ+ individuals on religious grounds.
Despite this progress, Michigan ranks 20th nationally in public support and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals, indicating there is room for further improvement.
- Legal Protections & Policy Developments
Michigan has made significant strides in legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community:
- Nondiscrimination Laws: In 2023, the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act was amended to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Conversion Therapy Ban: The state banned conversion therapy practices in 2023, aligning with efforts to protect LGBTQ+ youth.
- Municipal Equality: More than half of Michigan cities evaluated in the Human Rights Campaign's 2024 Municipal Equality Index received perfect scores, highlighting strong local government support for LGBTQ+ equality.
- Youth Experiences & Education
LGBTQ+ youth in Michigan face unique challenges:
- School Climate: A 2021 survey by GLSEN revealed that many LGBTQ+ students in Michigan do not feel safe in schools and lack access to supportive resources.
- Mental Health: According to The Trevor Project's 2022 survey, 89% of Michigan LGBTQ+ youth reported that recent politics negatively impacted their well-being.
- Religious and Cultural Dynamics
Religious institutions in Michigan exhibit varied stances on LGBTQ+ issues:
- Christian Denominations: Acceptance of same-sex marriage among Christian denominations in Metro Detroit remains mixed. While some churches have become more accepting, others continue to oppose same-sex unions.
- Religious Freedom vs. Discrimination: Debates persist over the balance between religious freedom and LGBTQ+ rights, particularly concerning service refusals by businesses.
- Ongoing Challenges
Despite advancements, challenges persist:
- Discrimination Incidents: Instances of businesses refusing service to LGBTQ+ individuals, such as a Traverse City hair salon's refusal to serve transgender clients, underscore ongoing discrimination.
- Political Opposition: Some political figures continue to oppose LGBTQ+ rights, with efforts to undermine same-sex marriage protections.
- Conclusion
Michigan has made significant progress in advancing LGBTQ+ rights, supported by strong public backing and legal protections. However, disparities persist, especially within educational settings and among certain religious and political groups. Continued advocacy and inclusive policies are vital to creating a more accepting environment for all LGBTQ+ individuals in the state.
History of the Michigan Flag
The Michigan State Flag features a blue background with the state's coat of arms emblazoned in the center. The coat of arms includes a light blue shield with a man dressed in buckskin holding a gun, with his right arm raised in peace. This buckskin outfit represents the attire of the frontiersman who ventured west to Michigan in search of opportunities. The man stands on a green peninsula jutting into a lake, with the sun rising over the water. The word "Tuebor" is written at the top of the shield, which translates to "I will defend." This phrase pays homage to the role of Michiganders in fighting the British during the War of 1812, where some battles took place in Michigan. Above the shield is a bald eagle, representing the United States of America. Above the eagle is a red banner with the motto of the United States, "E Pluribus Unum," in white text. This phrase translates to "Out of Many, One." On one side of the shield is a moose, and on the other side is an elk. Both animals stand on their hind legs, with their front legs supported by the shield, and they are native to the state. At the bottom of the shield is a white banner with the state motto, "Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice," in black text. This phrase translates to "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you." The reference to the peninsula symbolizes Michigan's geographical position between two of the Great Lakes.
Michigan is located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America and shares land borders with Ontario (a Canadian province), Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The state also shares water boundaries with Illinois and Minnesota. Michigan is the 11th largest state. The capital city is Lansing, while the most populous city in Michigan is Detroit. Michigan's name originates from "Mishigamaa" (an Objiwe word) that translates as "large water" or "large lake." Michigan is often referred to as "The Wolverine State." Folklore indicates that Native Americans nicknamed the rugged people who tried to settle in Michigan "wolverines." It is also known as "The Great Lake State," as the shores of Michigan touch 4 of the 5 Great Lakes and it is home to approximately 11,000 inland lakes.
The first inhabitants of Michigan were Native American tribes that included the Ojibwe, Ottawa, and Potawatomi. These main tribes formed a council known as "The Three Fires." The first European explorer to arrive in the area was Frenchman Etienne Brule in 1618, who stumbled upon Michigan during his search for a route to China. The French soon claimed the land, and in 1668, the first permanent settlement was "Sault Ste. Maries." In 1763, following the French and Indian War, the British gained control of Michigan.
In 1783, following the American Revolutionary War, the United States of America declared authority over the territory of Michigan. This led to the British withdrawal from Detroit, resulting in Michigan becoming its own territory in 1805. On January 26, 1837, Michigan officially became the 26th state of the United States of America.
A Personal Note from Robin
While I was growing up, my family made several trips to visit my father's family in Kalamazoo. We often took side trips to both Kellogg's and Post cereal companies. I still remember the smell of Postum emanating from the Post Cereal Company, which you could smell long before entering the building.
See also [ Kellogg's ]
External links
- Wikipedia article: Michigan
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