Gay rights law passes in Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo residents voted Tuesday evening to pass the highly debated anti-discrimination ordinance.

Sexual orientation and gender identity now will be added as protected classes to ordinance 1856. In addition, it will be illegal to discriminate against gay, lesbian and transgendered individuals in the areas of hiring, housing and public accommodation.

With the passage of the ordinance, all complaints filed will be investigated by the city manager's office. Violators of ordinance 1856 could face fines of up to $500 per day until the situation is resolved.

Club Metro, or the 411 Club, was a hotspot on election night for ordinance supporters. They celebrated the proposal's passing and said the 'yes' vote is a step forward for the gay, lesbian and transgendered community. It was a hard-fought campaign with more than $10,000 raised on each side of the issue.

"We've been talking to a whole lot of people throughout the process and a whole lot of people who are supportive of fairness and equality in Kalamazoo," said Josh Vandeburgh of One Kalamazoo, the group supporting the ordinance. "And we're really excited to see so many people out here that support this ordinance."

24 Hour News 8 spoke with One Kalamazoo's campaign manager about what the victory means to the group.

"We're just thrilled that Kalamazoo decided that they would send an overwhelming message of fairness and equality for everybody, including gay and transgendered people," said Jon Hoadley of One Kalamazoo.

Opposition group Kalamazoo Citizens Voting NO had people at the polling places, too. An anti-discrimination ordinance protecting the gay and lesbian community is not necessary in Kalamazoo, the group contended.