LANSING — Legislation set to be introduced Thursday would prohibit employers, landlords and others in Michigan from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Sen. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, announced her second shot at amending the state’s civil rights law to add protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents.

The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976 prohibits discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status, but not sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

“From the conversations I’ve had with citizens around my district and around the state, people just simply do not believe that this is the case,” she said. “But it’s still true in Michigan that you can be evicted from your place of residence, you can be fired from the job that you hold based on your sexual orientation or someone else’s perception of your sexual orientation.”

Warren introduced similar legislation in the House three years ago, but it never passed.

She said public awareness and opinions have changed, noting a

statewide poll of likely voters

released in February 2011 that found about two-thirds favored anti-discrimination legislation.

There are 18 local governments, ranging from Traverse City to Dearborn Heights, that have various anti-discrimination ordinances that include gay and transgender people, according to The Unity Michigan Coalition of LGBT rights advocacy groups.

It's been a contentious issue for communities that consider the policies, such as Holland, which voted against an anti-discrimination ordinance last summer. Several people there spoke out both for and against the proposal.

"This is a way to get acceptance to immoral acts by approval through law," Rev. Ralph Houston, Pastor of Immanuel Reformed Church in Fennville, said during the proceedings in Holland last summer.

Communities that have opposed such local ordinances would have to abide by the legislation if signed into law. It would not supersede local ordinances that provide higher level protections.

About 20 states have laws banning sexual orientation discrimination in private employment.

Michigan's civil rights act shouldn't be tampered with, said Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge.

"I don’t see the need for any further legislation in that area at this time," he said.

While Michigan competes globally to attract businesses and talent, it’s important that everyone feels welcome, said Peter Hammer, economist and director of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne State University Law School.

“I’ve been fired from a job here in Michigan that I loved, because I wasn’t straight,” Hammer said. “I know how it feels to come to that realization that state law doesn’t protect you, federal law doesn’t protect you, and our entire community is out on our own.”

Email Melissa Anders at manders@mlive.com. Follow her on Twitter: @MelissaDAnders.