Mich. Comp. Laws § § 37.2103
Definitions.
Operative Text
Sec. 103. As used in this act: (a) "Age" means chronological age except as otherwise provided by law. (b) "Commission" means the civil rights commission established by section 29 of article V of the state constitution of 1963. (c) "Commissioner" means a member of the commission. (d) "Department" means the department of civil rights or its employees. (e) "Familial status" means 1 or more individuals under the age of 18 residing with a parent or other person having custody or in the process of securing legal custody of the individual or individuals or residing with the designee of the parent or other person having or securing custody, with the written permission of the parent or other person. For purposes of this definition, "parent" includes an individual who is pregnant. (f) "Gender identity or expression" means having or being perceived as having a gender-related self-identity or expression whether or not associated with an individual's assigned sex at birth. (g) "National origin" includes the national origin of an ancestor. (h) "Person" means an individual, agent, association, corporation, joint apprenticeship committee, joint stock company, labor organization, legal representative, mutual company, partnership, receiver, trust, trustee in bankruptcy, unincorporated organization, this state or a political subdivision of this state or an agency of this state, or any other legal or commercial entity. (i) "Political subdivision" means a county, city, village, township, school district, or special district or authority of this state. (j) "Race" is inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. For purposes of this definition, "protective hairstyles" includes, but is not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, locks, and twists. (k) Discrimination because of sex includes sexual harassment. Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature under the following conditions: (i) Submission to the conduct or communication is made a term or condition either explicitly or implicitly to obtain employment, public accommodations or public services, education, or housing. (ii) Submission to or rejection of the conduct or communication by an individual is used as a factor in decisions affecting the individual's employment, public accommodations or public services, education, or housing. (iii) The conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's employment, public accommodations or public services, education, or housing, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment, public accommodations, public services, educational, or housing environment. (l) "Sexual orientation" means having an orientation for heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality or having a history of such an orientation or being identified with such an orientation.
Michigan Civil Rights Act § 37.2103 establishes the foundational definitions that govern how key terms are interpreted throughout the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The definitions cover protected characteristics such as age, familial status, gender identity or expression, race, sex, and sexual orientation, as well as institutional terms like 'commission,' 'department,' and 'person.' Notably, the provision clarifies that 'race' encompasses traits historically associated with race—including hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists—and that sex discrimination includes sexual harassment across employment, housing, public accommodations, and education contexts.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under MCL § 37.2103, the protected characteristics defined in this section—including familial status, gender identity or expression, race (which explicitly includes hair texture and protective hairstyles), sex, and sexual orientation—set the boundaries of lawful conduct for housing providers throughout Michigan. Compliant operators generally ensure that rental policies, tenant screening criteria, and day-to-day management practices do not treat applicants or residents differently based on any of these defined characteristics. Because 'familial status' includes households with children under 18 and pregnant individuals, operators typically review occupancy standards and application processes with these definitions in mind.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
MCL § 37.2103 defines the characteristics that Michigan law protects against discrimination in housing, including familial status, gender identity or expression, race (covering protective hairstyles like braids and locks), sex, and sexual orientation. If a tenant believes a landlord's conduct—such as refusing to rent, imposing different terms, or creating a hostile housing environment through sexual harassment—implicates one of these defined categories, that definition forms the basis of a potential civil rights claim. Tenants can explore filing a complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, the body identified in § 37.2103(d), or consult a tenant-rights organization to understand available enforcement paths.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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