November 6, 2013
Holland Likely Won't Take Up Gay Rights Soon
Bobby McGuire READ TIME: 1 MIN.
HOLLAND, MICH. - A proposal to protect gays from discrimination in the western Michigan city of Holland likely won't be back on the table soon.
Two people running for re-election to City Council who opposed adding sexual orientation to the local anti-discrimination law in 2011 had election challenges over the issue. They won new terms on Tuesday along with other council members who were up for re-election.
Council members Brian Burch and Nancy DeBoer were challenged by Don Martin, who is gay, and Richard Burlingame. If Burch and DeBoer had been defeated there might have been a chance of passing the addition.
Burch had said Holland residents should treat everyone fairly without amending the law. DeBoer had said her religious beliefs make her uncomfortable about extending protections to gays.
