Victory in Royal Oak, Michigan: Voters Approve Proposal A that Upholds Human Rights Ordinance for LGBT People

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund celebrates the passage by voters in Royal Oak, Michigan, of Proposal A, which upholds a human rights ordinance passed by the Royal Oak City Commission this March. The city now becomes the 30th municipality in Michigan to approve such an ordinance.

Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund states:

Fairness and equality won the day in Royal Oak. On the heels of an historic vote in the U.S. Senate that advances the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, residents of Royal Oak stood up for their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender neighbors and family members. Voters in Royal Oak demonstrated that discrimination is wrong and everyone should be able to bring their whole selves to work — no matter who they are or who they love.

The ordinance prohibits discrimination in the City of Royal Oak based upon actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity, in addition to the law’s existing protections based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, height, weight, condition of pregnancy, marital status, physical or mental limitation, source of income, family responsibilities, or HIV status. It goes into effect ten days after the election.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund has been a partner of One Royal Oak, the local campaign to ensure passage of Proposal A. The Task Force Action Fund donated a contract organizer to the campaign for the final eight weeks who served as campaign manager. We also provided training, strategic advice, staff on the ground to work side-by side throughout this summer and a team of eight Task Force staff for get-out-the-vote efforts.

“We congratulate and thank the One Royal Oak campaign staff and volunteers, Equality Michigan, Unity Michigan, and the staff of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center’s Leadership Lab for this wonderful victory. We look forward to continuing to partner with them to achieve full equality for all Michiganders by working to amend the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act to protect LGBT people at the state level,” said Carey.