Mich. County Votes Down Anti-Discrimination Measure

Leaders in Bay County have rejected a measure to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Bay City Times reports (http://bit.ly/N5TIMH ) the Bay County Board of Commissioners voted 4-3 Tuesday against the ordinance. Before the vote, about 20 members of the public addressed the commission and expressed thoughts on both sides of the issue.

Commissioner Don Tilley, who introduced the measure in January, expressed disappointment with the outcome. He says, however, that changes might be made to Bay County's internal policies that would mimic those in the proposed ordinance.

The ordinance had been in the works for months and was modeled after similar measures adopted in other Michigan communities. The ordinance would have affected entities owned and operated Bay County, as well as contracts the government makes.