Public debates anti-discrimination law

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - More than 200 people attended Monday night a subcommittee meeting of the Kalamazoo City Commission.

At issue was a city ordinance protecting employment, housing and accommodations rights of the gay, lesbian and transgender community.

The meeting was held on the third floor of the Kalamazoo Public Central Library. It went past the 9 o'clock closing timeframe of the library and was moved to the commission chambers.

The city commission passed the original ordinance in December 2008.

But an organized opposition effort collected enough petition signatures to force the commission to overturn it in January.

Monday night was the first public meeting of the subcommittee to debate the issue, and possibly restructure the ordinance.

Both sides made passionate pleas to the subcommittee. Attendees were given a questionnaire asking how expanding protection for gays, lesbians and transgenders would either improve or harm the community of Kalamazoo.

The questionnaires are due March 26. The subcommittee will present that information before the city commission to hold more public hearings and possibly adopt a new ordnance proposal.

They don't expect to vote on the issue until at least May.