ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center today announced that it will act as legal counsel for a coalition of citizens, businesses, and religions in Hamtramck, Michigan seeking to overturn an ordinance enacted by the City Counsel in June, which gives special privileges to homosexuals and so-called “transgendered” individuals. The citizen’s group is called, “Hamtramck Citizens Opposing `Special Rights’ Discrimination.”
The challenged ordinance makes it legal for men who perceive themselves as women to use women’s bathrooms in any school, business or public facility. In classic Orwellian doublespeak, the ordinance defines such behavior as “Natural Rights of Hamtramck Residents.”
Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center stated, “Radical homosexual activists have taken over city councils like Hamtramck all across the nation. These ordinances end up being used to bully and prosecute Christians who faithfully practice their religion.”
Continued Thompson, Hamtramck’s draconian provisions for investigation, prosecution and civil actions with treble damages, with attorney’s fees, to force acceptance of this bizarre behavior would make any Communist regime envious.”
At a rally and press conference held in front of the Hamtramck City Hall on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 a group of citizens and their leaders announced that over a thousand signatures were gathered, more than twice the amount needed to place the initiative on the ballot to overturn the ordinance. Accordingly, voters will decide in the November 2008 general ballot whether this anti-religious ordinance remains on the books. One of the proponents of the ordinance, Councilwomen Katrina Stakpoole, called the gathering of religious a “hate rally.”
Contrary to the deceptive title of the ordinance and assurances of the city council and their lawyer, this ordinance was specifically enacted to give special privileges to homosexuals and so-called “transgendered.” The State of Michigan and the County government already cover, through various Civil Rights Acts, every other group identified in the ordinance besides the homosexuals and so-called “transgendered.” In effect, this ordinance will help these two groups discriminate against faithful Christians and others that find the acts of homosexuals and so-called “transgenders” antithetical to their faith, their right to practice their faith, and their free speech rights to pronounce their objections to these deviant lifestyle choices.
Some of the more disturbing aspects of the ordinance include:
· Excessive entanglement by the city in internal aspects of religious organizations
· Men being allowed to use women’s restroom facilities and other facilities specifically designated for women. To even question a man on the propriety of them using the women’s facilities—whether dressed as a women or not—could be grounds for a discrimination complaint, $500 fine for each day this occurs, and a civil lawsuit.
· Men dressed as women teaching your grade school children
· Civil litigation to force businesses, schools, and even religions to conform and accept these deviant lifestyle choices
The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through litigation, education, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.