Breaking: Kokomo, Indiana Passes LGBT Protections Ordinance Despite Religious Right Objections
Bill Greatly Opposed by Christian Right
The Kokomo City council has just passed an LGBT nondiscrimination bill by a 5-4 vote. The religious right opposed adding LGBT protections to the human rights ordinance but lawmakers stood strong after the mayor called for the measure, which add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing law.
#BREAKING: Kokomo council passes measure to add LGBT protections to human rights ordinance: https://t.co/pcJXPGPiXg
— FOX59 News (@FOX59) March 14, 2016
BREAKING: #Kokomo, #Indiana Council Votes 5-4 to Pass #LGBT Protections on 2nd and Final Reading pic.twitter.com/zS9RmRgbNZ
— Lone Star Q (@lsqnews) March 14, 2016
Some residents testified against the bill:
Woman says Kokomo has been warned of God’s wrath and righteous judgment if they pass LGBT protections
— Kendall Downing (@kendall_downing) March 14, 2016
Man tells council anyone who supports LGBT protections in Kokomo should be ashamed of themselves pic.twitter.com/FLhv2RKXs1
— Kendall Downing (@kendall_downing) March 14, 2016
This lady told the council she won’t use public bathrooms if Kokomo passes LGBT protections. Worried about safety pic.twitter.com/u4ioza6xuC
— Kendall Downing (@kendall_downing) March 14, 2016
Some in favor:
Woman says “I was an ally before my child came out.. This is about equal opportunity” pic.twitter.com/YkWFFSmWDd
— Kendall Downing (@kendall_downing) March 14, 2016
15yo lesbian speaking in favor of #LGBT protections says she’s not comfortable giving her home address, due to threat of violence #kokomo
— Lone Star Q (@lsqnews) March 14, 2016
Unitarian minister in #Kokomo: ‘To judge any of God’s creations as less than perfect, is to judge god, a position of unfathomable arrogance’
— Journo John Wright (@johniswright) March 14, 2016
CLASSIC: #Kokomo business owner says he has a code for #LGBT people: ‘We call them customers, and they spend money.’
— Lone Star Q (@lsqnews) March 14, 2016
Video of the vote:
LGBT protections pass Kokomo council 5-4 pic.twitter.com/SAMD0utLPa
— Kendall Downing (@kendall_downing) March 14, 2016
Ordinance just signed pic.twitter.com/xTipJZZjmo
— Kendall Downing (@kendall_downing) March 14, 2016
After the vote, some still angered:
Arguments breaking out now outside chambers pic.twitter.com/PxgINP55Y8
— Kendall Downing (@kendall_downing) March 14, 2016
“We were once again reminded tonight what can happen when a community decides it wants to take action to protect its citizens from discrimination and send the message that it’s an open and welcoming place,” Freedom Indiana said in a statement. “In the face of scare tactics and misinformation from those who support legal discrimination, Kokomo did the right thing for gay and transgender people. We commend them.”
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Image by Jennie Runevitch/Twitter
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