PORTAGE (WKZO-AM) — The Portage City Council got a standing ovation after they voted 6 to 1 to modify their anti-discrimination ordinance to include the LGBT community Tuesday night.
Over 150 people turned out for a marathon session.
40-people spoke on the ordinance and only five were opposed.
It will specifically protect gays, lesbians and transgender citizens from discrimination in housing, employment and public accomodation, adding them to a list of other minority groups that already enjoy such protections under the existing ordinance.
The opponents argued that the change would create gray areas about the use of bathrooms, and that it was taking away the rights of the majority and handing special privileges to a minority group.
The claims were dismissed as fear-mongering by other speakers and legally inaccurate by city staff.
Opponents also called for a city referendum on the issue. Council Member Patricia Randall says she investigated adoption of similar laws and ordinances all over the country and found that only a handful involved public votes, and in every case, the change was also approved by voters.
Randall says opponents certainly have a right to petition for a referendum if they can collect enough signatures to put the issue on the ballot.
Members of the clergy, employees and executives at Pfizer and Kellogg, straights, gays and the parents of transgender children all spoke in favor of passage.
They said it would be good for the wellbeing of its citizens, good for business and good for the reputation of the community. They also warned that the opposite would be true if it failed.
Veteran Council Member Terry Urban, who first proposed the change and was its strongest advocate apologized for not proposing it years ago.
The ordinance amendment will take effect in just over two weeks.
Portage will join Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and nearly 40 other communities in Michigan that have already adopted similar civil rights protections for the LGBT community.
