Politics & Government
Royal Oak Businesses Urge 'Yes' Vote on Human Rights Ordinance
Royal Oak business leaders point to opinion poll that reports 64 percent of the state's entrepreneurs believe Michigan should have a state law that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Members of the business community are urging Royal Oakers to vote "yes" on Proposal A to uphold the human rights ordinance passed by the Royal Oak City Commission on Mar. 4.
"I am against discrimination of all kind," said Janel Calka-Assaf, owner of Nafa Fitness. "We are all human and should be treated equally no matter what. We should not judge others."
Nafa Fitness is one of 35 Royal Oak businesses urging a "yes" vote on Nov. 5.
If approved, the ordinance would prohibit discrimination in employment, housing or public accommodation on the basis of a variety of factors including race, religion, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status. A violation would be a civil infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $500, plus the costs of investigation and prosecution.
Similar laws already are on the books in more than a dozen Michigan communities, including Ferndale, Birmingham, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo Township, Pleasant Ridge and Ann Arbor. Some of those communities were contacted to glean answers to the questions Royal Oak commissioners wanted before casting a final vote on the issue.
Opinion Poll: Majority of businesses favor human rights laws
Royal Oak business leaders point to a June 2013 opinion poll conducted in Michigan that reports 64 percent of the state's entrepreneurs believe Michigan should have a state law that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity."A whopping 76 percent of entrepreneurs didn't realize it’s currently legal under federal law to fire or refuse to hire someone because they are gay, lesbian or transgender," writes Washington D.C.-based Small Business Majority, the group behind the scientific opinion poll.
Laura Harrison, a former city commissioner and owner of The Ladybug Shoppe, finds it difficult to believe that it is legal to fire someone from their job or deny housing just because they are gay or transgender.
Still, Harrison thinks it is fair to put the question before voters.
"I feel that it is important to let the community decide," she said.
For Michael Chetcuti, selected Royal Oak's 'Business Person of the Year' by the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce in 2012, discrimination is unfathomable. Chetcuti owns three businesses in Royal Oak - StreetCar USA, Cloverleaf Fine Wine and Craft Beer and Bigalora Wood Fire Cuccina, formerly Pizzeria Biga.
"We are not haters," Chetcuti said, "just lovers of great sustainable organic food."
The full Small Business Majority poll is attached to this article as a PDF.
Royal Oak business supporting Proposal A
- Annabelle's Couture
- Bastone Brewery
- Bingo Pet Salon
- Blu Jeans Bar, LLC
- Cafe Muse
- Changez Salon & Spa
- Chrome Inc.
- Cloverleaf Fine Wine
- Five 15 Media Mojo & More
- Footprints
- Holiday Market
- Ice Pix Boutique
- Jimi's
- Lift Designer Toys & Gallery
- Lost & Found Vintage
- Metals in Time
- Mobcu Phone & Computer Repair
- Nafas Fitness
- Noir Leather
- Oak Commercial Properties, LLC
- Bigalora Wood Fire Cuccina, formerly Pizzeria Biga
- Polished by Chrome
- Pronto!
- Rasor Law Firm
- Rise Clothing
- Rock on Third
- Sands Barber Shop
- Scout
- Stephen Fleck MA, LLP Counciling
- Susan Gray
- That Girl Clothing Resale
- The Aquarium Shop
- The Inn Place
- The Ladybug Shoppe
- Vinotecca
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
