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Debating Gay Rights In Kalamazoo GRAND RAPIDS, MI (Michigan Radio) - The debate over gay rights is heating up in Kalamazoo. The Kalamazoo city commission is considering a proposed gay rights ordinance. Opponents say they want the issue on the ballot.

The Kalamazoo City Commission unanimously approved a gay rights ordinance late last year. But the commission rescinded the ordinance after opponents started a petition drive. Now, there's a new proposal on the table. It would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation for housing, employment or public accommodations - such as bathrooms.

But Jan Stowe of Kalamazoo says the proposal goes too far.

"It really takes away the right every person who owns a business," she says. "Every person that has public facilities ... like the public library or any other public place."

Supporters of the ordinance say gay, lesbian and transgender people should be protected from discrimination at work, or in public places.

The issue is likely to go before voters in the fall.

Shawn Brier is with the Kalamazoo Alliance for Equality. He says he believes most people in the city support equal rights based on sexual orientation.

"A person who's hard-working and high performing shouldn't fear being fired for being gay, lesbian bisexual or transgender," Brier says. "It's just a question of human rights."

The Kalamazoo city commission will discuss the proposed ordinance at a meeting June 15th. © Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio