Fighting Discrimination in Kalamazoo

At this time last year, young people all across the country were organizing for what would be the most historically significant presidential election in decades. Spurred on by the possibility to create “change,” those who participated in it wondered whether there would ever be such an opportunity again.

Only a year later, that opportunity is here. Literally, here in Kalamazoo.

Many residents, college students, and the One Kalamazoo non-profit organization are working to foster “change” in the city’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance. The ordinance currently prohibits discriminatory practices on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, height, weight, marital status, physical or mental disability, or family status in the provision of housing, public accommodations, and employment.

Many people don’t know that currently it is legal in Kalamazoo for someone to be fired from their job simply because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. It is also perfectly legal to deny a person housing or access to public accommodations, such as restrooms, because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

On Dec. 1 of last year, the City Commission amended the ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity. A month later, those opposed to the changes submitted a valid referendum petition and the City Commission repealed the ordinance. On August third, it adopted a resolution supporting the ordinance and placed it as a question on the November third ballot.

Now, you may be wondering how adding these three words to the non-discrimination ordinance in a medium-sized town in west Michigan could possibly implement any kind of meaningful change. Better yet, why is the ordinance even important?

The most obvious answer is that including sexual orientation and gender identity in the ordinance will bring Kalamazoo one step closer to full equality for all of its residents. A well-qualified, hardworking person should not have to wonder how they will be able to pay their bills if they get fired from their job for simply being gay.

This ordinance will also enable city government to catch up to the many large corporate businesses that already have LGBT inclusive nondiscrimination policies in place.

Furthermore, the passage of this ordinance has the potential to sway other cities in Michigan and even across the country (only twenty cities in Michigan have enacted similar protections, about ninety cities and counties across the country). Indeed, this ordinance has drawn attention nationally by organizations that both support and oppose LGBT rights.

Even if you are not gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, or you don’t live in Kalamazoo year-round, this ordinance should be important to you. First, you probably have people in your life that could potentially be affected no matter what the outcome is on November third.

Second, living in a country that boasts equality and personal freedoms for all its citizens, isn’t it time to finally deliver on that promise? The passage of this ordinance will result in more just and equal living for the thousands of LGBT residents and students living in Kalamazoo.

Finally, the opposition’s argument is based on scare tactics, blatant lies, and the degradation of individuals in the LGBT community. They have claimed that if the ordinance passes businesses will be discriminated against and women’s public restrooms will be opened to men. Please do not let these lies drown out the truth at the ballot box.

I encourage everyone that can to register (or re-register) to vote in Kalamazoo on November third. The deadline for registration is October 2nd.