HOLLAND, MI (WHTC News) - The Holland City Council tried to move on from a controversial subject, but it appeared that it couldn’t.
Last night’s business meeting was the first for the panel since the June 22nd split vote that rejected a proposed ordinance amendment that would have included sexual preference and gender identity as protected classes in the city’s anti-discrimination and equal employment policies. Proponent Bill Freeman, Chaplain of the Interfaith Congregation, followed through on an Independence Day pledge and attended the session, asking during the public comment portion of the meeting that Council change their minds on the matter. An impassioned 90-minute debate by speakers on both sides of the issue followed. Council refused to budge on the subject, although City Attorney Andrew Mulder advised that it can be revisited if one of the members brings it up and a majority of Council votes it onto an agenda.
Freeman, the group Holland is Ready, and other pro-gay rights activists say that they will continue to attend Council meetings and bring up the issue until the panel reverses its decision.
