Is Royal Oak Fair and Welcoming?

Royal Oak voters go to the polls today with the choice to vote “for” Proposal A to uphold the Human Rights Ordinance that the Royal Oak City Commission passed 6-1 in March of this year. If Proposal A passes, Royal Oak will become the 30th municipality in Michigan to adopt such an ordinance.

"More than 130 cities across the United States, including 29 in Michigan, have successfully instituted similar nondiscrimination laws. A vote FOR Proposal A is a vote FOR a fair and welcoming community for all of our neighbors, workers, and families," said Chris Riley, a Royal Oak native and the campaign manager for One Royal Oak.

If voters approve Proposal A, the ordinance would prohibit discrimination in the City of Royal Oak based upon actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, in addition to the existing inclusion of 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. If passed, it goes into effect ten days from the election.

"An overwhelming majority of Michiganders support nondiscrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the workplace, housing, and public accommodations,” said Frank Houston, co-chair of One Royal Oak and campaign director at A Better Michigan Future. "If you’re great at your job, you shouldn’t have to change who you love to keep it." 

Outside of the 29 current Michigan municipalities with Human Rights Ordinances, it remains legal to fire someone based solely on their sexual orientation or gender identity. A survey conducted in May 2013 by the Glengariff Group indicates 75% of Michigan voters support laws which prohibit people from being fired based solely on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

One Royal Oak is a local ballot initiative campaign supporting the city's Human Rights Ordinance. The campaign encourages voters to vote FOR Proposal A and believes that all residents should be treated fairly and equally. One Royal Oak is paid for with regulated funds. For more information, visit www.OneRoyalOak.org.