Michigan city extends protections to GLBT

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Voters in Kalamazoo, Mich., approved extending anti-discrimination protections to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders.

The ordinance making Kalamazoo the 16th city in Michigan to adopt a gay-rights ordinance that grants protections in employment, housing and public accommodations, the Kalamazoo Gazette reported Wednesday.

The ordinance was approved in all but three of the city's polling places. It also passed among heavy absentee ballot voting.

"There's a lot of people who will wake up and breathe easier tomorrow knowing they won't be fired or kicked out of their homes for being gay, lesbian or transgender," said Jon Hoadley, campaign manager of One

Kalamazoo, the pro-ordinance campaign committee. "It was astounding the overwhelming support that we had. Kalamazoo said this is what it wants."