voters in Kalamazoo, Michigan passed Ordinance 1856. Originally
approved twice by the City Commission of Kalamazoo, opponents
forced a public referendum on the Ordinance. The Ordinance revises
the City’s existing non-discrimination law to include LGBT
people.
With the passage of this
legislation, LGBT individuals in Kalamazoo are provided legal
protection from discrimination at work, in seeking housing and in
enjoying public accommodations such as restaurants and
hotels.
“Kalamazoo is a leading
community in the fight for equality. This Ordinance ensures LGBT
families basic protections such as the ability to secure a place to
live or eat in a restaurant.. It also enables that LGBT individuals
can work and provide for their children and families without the
fear of being fired for reasons unrelated to their job performance.
The public’s support for LGBT people and these basic protections
is great for Kalamazoo and adds to the momentum towards full
equality for all families across this country. Jon Hoadley did an
outstanding job leading the charge and ensuring this passage of
Ordinance 1856” said Jennifer Chrisler, Executive
Director, Family Equality Council.
Washington
State
Results:
Results on Referendum 71
will not be known for a few more days. Washington state is now an
all vote-by-mail state (with the exception of a small number of
voters in one of 39 of Washington’s counties). Unlike some vote
by mail states where ballots must be received by Election Day, in
Washington state ballots only have to be postmarked no later than
Election Day (or dropped in an official ballot drop off boxes by
8:00 pm), meaning ballots are often arriving as late as a week
after Election Day.
Follow developments at
www.twitter.com/family_equality.
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