Gay author Bradley Fowler filed a lawsuit totaling US$70 million in Ann Arbor, Michigan on July 7 against two publishing companies – Zondervan Corp and Thomas Nelson Publishing – claiming that their translations of the Bible intentionally altered the text to portray homosexuality as sinful. In a press statement, Fowler argues that the changes to the text ‘convey a message of hate and discrimination towards a particular sector or group of individuals, solely based on bias opinions.’ PinkNews.co.uk reported that Fowler will represent himself in the case, since the Michigan court has refused to appoint Fowler a lawyer, due to concerns about his claims.