Voters In Springfield, Missouri Repeal LGBT Nondiscrimination Ordinance
By a very narrow margin, voters in the city of Springfield, Missouri Tuesday night repealed an LGBT nondiscrimination ordinance
Anti-LGBT groups in the small city of Springfield, Missouri – population 159,498 – convinced voters to repeal an LGBT nondiscrimination ordinance, “for freedom, for faith, for family.”Â
The vote was close. Question 1, to which a yes answer would repeal the NDO, and a no answer would retain it, passed 51.43 percent to 48.57 percent. In people, the difference was just 854 votes.
#DEVELOPING: #SGF voters repeal #SOGI protections. Follow latest coverage here >> @KTTSNews http://t.co/WAuemhWvsc pic.twitter.com/WXs5AILdy6
— Chase Snider (@chasesnider) April 8, 2015
The ordinance merely added sexual orientation and gender identity to current housing, employment, and public accommodations nondiscrimination ordinances.
“We are very disappointed that we didn’t have the exact outcome that we wanted, but we are encouraged that the vote was so very close,†Crystal Clinkenbeard, a spokeswoman for the LGBT-rights campaign No Repeal, told BuzzFeed News‘ Dominic Holden.
Holden reports tonight’s vote “comes after a fierce clash between LGBT advocates and religious conservatives, who invoked campaign themes of Christian-owned businesses forced to sell products for gay weddings and cross-dressing predators lurking in women’s restrooms.”
“With the addition of gender identity, it gives anyone claiming to be transgender the right to choose which public locker room, dressing room, bathroom, or other previously gender specific area they wish to use,†the campaign said. “This new, special privilege opens a door for sexual predators to claim being transgender in order to access these private areas.â€
On Twitter, the mood was somber and angry:
I would say I’m disappointed, but I’m actually disgusted. Springfield has made it clear that I am unwelcome. #SGFvoteNO #SOGI
— Warmer (@sandboxtamer) April 8, 2015
My heart is hurting for my Springfield friends this evening. I can’t believe the outcome of that repeal. It’s completely unreal to me
— Emily Clark (@_ImStillBigRed_) April 8, 2015
I could not be any more disappointed in Springfield right now
— Ellee Schmitty (@ElleeSchmitty) April 8, 2015
Springfield, you never cease to amaze me with your ignorance.
— î‡Only In Springfield (@Only_in_SPFD) April 8, 2015
Petition to have Springfield named as one of the worst cities in America
— (Wine)ona Ryder (@knizzle_) April 8, 2015
I wish there was a way to monitor the amount of people that move out of Springfield this week! Say goodbye to your tax base Springfield!
— Alan Hass (@Alan_Hass97) April 8, 2015
I’ve never been so disappointed in springfield in my whole life…
— Lyndsey Baker (@Lyndsey212) April 8, 2015
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Image via Twitter
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