Join the efforts of One Capitol Region at www.onecapregion.org!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2013
CONACT: Sarah Kennedy
skennedy@civitaspublicaffairs.com

 LANSING — On Wednesday, leaders from across the Capitol Region will gather to launch One Capitol Region, a coalition working in support of non-discrimination ordinances in Delhi, Delta, and Meridian Townships—which will protect all residents, including gay and transgender people, from discrimination.

WHAT: Press Conference Launch of One Capitol Region

WHEN: Wednesday, May 8, 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Outside the State Capitol; near Austin Blair statue adjacent to Capitol Avenue

WHO: Elected officials from the Capitol Region, including: Mayor Pro Tem Nathan Triplett (East Lansing) Trustee Angela Wilson (Meridian), Clerk Evan Hope (Delhi), and Supervisor Ken Fletcher (Delta).

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Royal Oak’s Human Rights Ordinance must stay

ROYAL OAK — Coming off the heels of a common-sense Human Rights Ordinance in Royal Oak, Michigan, fair-minded leaders and everyday folks in Royal Oak have joined together to speak out against a set of signatures filed today.

The signatures were gathered by opponents of fairness in an effort to stop the city from enacting its Human Rights Ordinance. The ordinance, which provides protections ensuring all residents will be treated fairly and equally, was passed 6 to 1 by the city commission in March.

Statement from Reverend Jim Lynch, Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit:
“As people of faith, we all are called to treat our neighbors as we would like to be treated. Royal Oak’s Human Rights Ordinance embodies the most important Christian value: the Golden Rule.”

Statement from resident Kara Leslie:
“Collecting signatures in order to make sure some people in our town aren’t treated fairly? That isn’t right. That isn’t Royal Oak. Everyone should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our city. The Human Rights Ordinance should stay.”

Statement from Unity Michigan Coalition:
“All Royal Oak residents, including gay and transgender people, should be treated fairly, and a majority of Michiganders support the Human Rights Ordinance. In fact, over 20 cities here in Michigan, and more than 100 nationwide, have successfully implemented similar ordinances. And 65% of Michiganders support making sure that gay and transgender people, are protected from discrimination.”

Resources:
Polling: http://dontchangeyourself.com/Quinlan2011.pdf
Cities with ordinances: http://www.unitymichigan.org/cities-with-ordinances

The Unity Michigan Coalition works to ensure that all Michiganders are treated fairly by advancing non-discrimination policies. www.unitymichigan.org

The Unity Michigan Coalition includes the ACLU of Michigan, Affirmations, Equality Michigan, KICK, the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion, and the Ruth Ellis Center.

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Urgent: Royal Oak Human Rights Ordinance Under Attack!

Breaking news: You and our thousands of supporters did a great job in helping build support for a gay & transgender inclusive non-discrimination ordinance—awesome. But now our opponents are trying to stop this common-sense law from going into effect, with a petition. That’s right. A few extremists out there who want to stop gay and transgender people from being treated fairly and equally, just like anyone else.

It gets worse: they have a whole month to get 800 people to sign their extreme, anti-equality petition.

DO NOT SIGN PETITIONS IN ROYAL OAK.

Often anti-gay and activists will try to use deceptive language to trick people who support equality into signing the petition. Do not sign any petitions in Royal Oak.There will be NO pro-equality petitions, so do not sign anything.

Now that I know you won’t sign, here’s another way you can help: Share our graphic on your Facebook wall, on Twitter, and forward this email to your friends. 

But the most important thing to remember is to NOT sign any petitions about the human rights ordinance in Royal Oak—and tell your friends not to sign any petitions either.

Thanks for your help. We will succeed if we all stick together!
-Jon Hoadley
Don’t Change Yourself

PS: Our friends in Royal Oak will be holding a press conference this afternoon at 2:00 at the Royal Oak Post Office, 200 West 2nd Street. Join us to show your support if you can!

Royal Oak City Commission passes ordinance to protect all residents

March 5, 2013 — Last night the Royal Oak, Michigan, City Commission ensured that all residents will be treated fairly and equally by passing a human rights ordinance. The ordinance includes crucial protections for gay and transgender people.

“Unity Michigan applauds the Royal Oak City Commission for standing up for fairness, said Jon Hoadley, Director of the Unity Michigan Coalition. “Royal Oak is the 22^nd city in Michigan to pass an ordinance like this. We’re thrilled to see momentum growing across the state, and look ahead to a day where everyone in our state is treated fairly.”

“This ordinance is so important,” said Hoadley. “Everyone should be treated fairly and equally here in Royal Oak, including our gay and transgender neighbors.”

65% of Michiganders support making Michigan an equal opportunity state. (See http://dontchangeyourself.com/Quinlan2011.pdf) Royal Oak is one of over 20 cities in Michigan, and more than 100 across the country who have successfully implemented similar ordinances.

The Unity Michigan Coalition works to ensure that all Michiganders are treated fairly by advancing non-discrimination policies. www.unitymichigan.org

The Unity Michigan Coalition includes the ACLU of Michigan, Affirmations, Equality Michigan, KICK, the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion, and the Ruth Ellis Center.

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