A group of activists and businesses on Wednesday launched a ballot initiative to protect LGBT Michigan residents under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which currently protects people from discrimination based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status.

The act protects people from housing, employment and other forms of discrimination.

The Fair and Equal Michigan ballot initiative would re-define the word “sex” in the law to include sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, effectively extending those protections to LGBT people. It would also define “religion” to include the religious beliefs of an individual.

“When I co-sponsored Michigan’s Civil Rights Act in 1973 with Rep. Daisy Elliott, it was about treating everybody equally, especially in employment, housing and our most basic of services; it is long past the time to recognize sexual orientation and gender identity,” said former state representative Mel Larsen in a statement.

“The legislature can act at any time to amend the Civil Rights Act. This coalition of Michigan citizens has support across LGBTQ groups, the business and philanthropic sectors, and both sides of the political aisle. There is more that brings us together - than forces us apart.”

The initiative has backing from businesses, including DTE Energy, Consumers Energy, The Whirlpool Corporation and Herman Miller.

“Advancing the fair treatment of all people - regardless of their race, religion, disability, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity - is a key component of retaining and growing a world-class, talented workforce,” said Patti Poppe, president and CEO of Consumers Energy.

Organizers leave open the possibility that the legislature could amend the law, instead.

“Every Michigander should have an equal chance at success, without threat of being fired, harassed, or demoted just because the boss doesn’t like that they’re gay or transgender,” said Trevor Thomas, Co-Chair and President of Fair and Equal Michigan and Board Chair for Equality Michigan Action, a statewide LGBTQ advocacy group.

“After waiting 37 years, this effort gives the legislature eight additional months to pass these basic human rights. If they can’t get the job done, our Constitution affords Michiganders the right to vote to ensure that workers are judged on the job they do, not who they are or who they love.”

The expansion of the act has long been a priority for Democrats and has gained some bipartisan interest in recent years. In 2014, a Republican, former Rep. Frank Foster, introduced a bill to add sexual orientation to the list of protected groups. The effort fizzled.

Then in 2015, now-Attorney General Dana Nessel launched a ballot initiative that sought to amend the constitution to include gay rights. That garnered some bipartisan support but proved divisive among LGBT activists who preferred a legislative route and folded for a lack of funding.

It’s still a priority for Democratic lawmakers, who renewed their legislative push to include LGBT protections in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act last year.

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission, which investigates claims of discrimination against the groups protected by the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, has authorized investigations into LGBT discrimination by interpreting the law’s protection based on “sex” to include sexual orientation and gender identity.