Kalamazoo VICTORY! Voters say YES to Equal Rights, YES to 1856!

"Ordinance 1856, passed by 61.8 percent, or 7,671 votes to 4,731, with all precincts reporting. The ordinance, which was approved twice by the Kalamazoo City Commission, makes it illegal for a landlord or employer discriminate against someone because of their sexual orientation and gender identity." Posted on Topics by Thomas Jackson.

This victory represents the very best of the human rights movement. When the City Commission realized there was injustice to be righted they did not hesitate to stand up for democracy and when their document did not pass the scrutiny of opponents of equality they did not flinch and rewrote their Ordinance.

The Kalamazoo city Commission's Ord. 1856 makes it clear that it is a law of equality and does not infringe on anyones right to freedom of speech or the right to worship as you wish. The population of Kalamazoo Michigan made it clear, their home is the land of the free and home of the brave!

Vote YES on 1856 Kalamazoo's Non-Discrimination Ordinance

Today is the day to make a stand for fairness and equality for all people in Kalamazoo – Vote YES on Ordinance 1856!Polls are open from 7am to 8pm. Please call the One Kalamazoo office at 269-903-2277 if you need a ride and click here to find out where to vote:www.onekalamazoo.com/vote

The hard work and efforts of hundreds of volunteers has gotten us to this point – and now it is in your hands. We need EVERY pro-fairness voter to get to the polls today if we want to win. Make sure you vote, and make sure your friends and family who live in Kalamazoo vote YES today too.

P.S. We still need your help! If you have a couple free hours today, stop by the One Kalamazoo office at 344 N. Rose Street (Rose and Kalamazoo)!

Transgender and Gay Ordinance in Kalamazoo under Attack

Kalamazoo's new Gay and Transgender city ordinances are being challenged and the Kalamazoo Alliance says your Help is Needed to Keep the new Equal Rights Ordinance in Kalamazoo.

"Join us at City Hall on Monday, January 12 at 6pm for the City Commission Meeting on the second floor of City Hall."

Kalamazoo news " The commission unanimously approved amendments Dec. 1 making it a civil infraction to discriminate against gay, lesbian or transgender individuals in housing, public accommodations or employment."

"But a petition drive spearheaded by the American Family Association of Michigan collected more than enough signatures in the 20 days after the new ordinance language became effective to bring the issue back to the commission and potentially to a public vote."

"Regardless of the action commissioners take Monday night, the expanded protections will not be enforceable, at least in the short term, says City Attorney Clyde Robinson."

A direct vote in May could decide whether Kalamazoo will remain the 17th Michigan city to extend human rights to Gay, Lesbian and Transgender people.

By kelli Busey
Jan. 11, 2009
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