redstar826
in
gsa_lj
Holland, Michigan considers expanding anti-discrimination laws to include lgbt people
Gender identity and sexual orientation are a hot topic right now in the city of Holland. That’s because Holland city council is considering adding local laws that protect people against discrimination for being gay or transgender. The ordinance would give them protection from discrimination by employers and landlords. The issue is extremely divisive in the generally conservative city.
Reverend Ralph Houston reads passages from the bible to city council at an informal meeting last night. He says passing the ordinance would lead to moral chaos.
Still, other self-identified Christians spoke in favor of the ordinance. One noted, “Jesus said that we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, and gay and lesbian are our neighbors and they ought to be treated equally.”
But Pastor Bernie Timmerman compared passing the ordinance to condoning drug use or adultery - claiming that homosexual behavior is a choice people make.
-----------------
read more at Michigan Public Radio's website
For those not familiar with the geography of Michigan, Holland is a small city with around 33,000 people located in the western side of the lower peninsula right near Lake Michigan. Western Michigan as a whole tends to be pretty conservative so this could get interesting.
Reverend Ralph Houston reads passages from the bible to city council at an informal meeting last night. He says passing the ordinance would lead to moral chaos.
Still, other self-identified Christians spoke in favor of the ordinance. One noted, “Jesus said that we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, and gay and lesbian are our neighbors and they ought to be treated equally.”
But Pastor Bernie Timmerman compared passing the ordinance to condoning drug use or adultery - claiming that homosexual behavior is a choice people make.
-----------------
read more at Michigan Public Radio's website
For those not familiar with the geography of Michigan, Holland is a small city with around 33,000 people located in the western side of the lower peninsula right near Lake Michigan. Western Michigan as a whole tends to be pretty conservative so this could get interesting.