LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A Michigan Republican has introduced legislation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, but gay rights advocates say it should also include protections for transgender residents.

Rep. Frank Foster says he hopes the Legislature adds protections for gays in Michigan's civil rights law by year's end. The law bars discrimination in in employment, housing, public accommodations, schools and colleges.
    
Minority Democrats earlier proposed legislation to add both sexual orientation and gender identity to the law.
    
Gay rights advocates oppose the decision Wednesday not to include gender identity in the Republican bill.
    
House Speaker Jase Bolger also introduced a bill that would mirror a federal law protecting religious liberty rights. He says there's no need to include gender identity in the bill because Michigan already bars sex-based discrimination.