Perkins Cheers Defeat Of Billings Bill

"It was well after 3:00 a.m., but to people in Billings, Montana, it was never too late to stand up to the forces of political correctness. Thanks to Mayor Tom Hanel, that's exactly what the largest city in the state did -- beating back a dangerous bathroom bill that would have literally opened the doors of Billings's public showers, locker rooms, and restrooms to both genders in a misguided show of 'tolerance.' After a 15-year fight, the council killed the proposal 6-5, with Mayor Hanel casting the deciding vote. 'I needed to ask myself, is this fair to everyone, beneficial to everyone? Will it build goodwill and friendships? I can't say for sure,' he told the crowded room in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The Montana Family Foundation, which has pushed back against these campaigns for a decade and a half, said the Left is only lobbying for these ordinances in places like Billings to '(target) Christians and other religious groups who find the homosexual/LGBT lifestyle morally objectionable.'" - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

MONTANA: Local Haters Celebrate Rejection Of LGBT Rights Bill In Billings

"We are so thankful for your faithful prayers and your unwavering support to defeat this ordinance. Please consider sending a quick email to the council members and Mayor Hanel, who voted against the ordinance, thanking them for standing strong in the face of much adversity." - The Montana Family Foundation, who will host Fox News reporter Todd Starnes at its annual fundraising banquet in September. They are also calling on their supporters to freep this poll at the Billings Gazette. You know what to do.

MONTANA: GOP Billings Mayor Casts Deciding Vote Against LGBT Rights Bill

Via the Billings Gazette:

Saying he doesn’t believe Billings is ready for a nondiscrimination ordinance, Mayor Tom Hanel cast the decisive vote just past 3 a.m. Tuesday to defeat the long-debated measure. Hanel said he applied a standard from Rotary International to help him reach his decision: “I needed to ask myself, is this fair to everyone, beneficial to everyone? Will it build goodwill and friendships? I can’t say for sure,” he said of the NDO. The vote was 6-5, with council members Shaun Brown, Rich McFadden, Denis Pitman, Angela Cimmino and Mike Yakwich joining Hanel against the ordinance, which would have amended city code to protect people from being discriminated against on the bases of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. In support of the proposal were council members Becky Bird, Jani McCall, Brent Cromley, Al Swanson and Ken Crouch. Brown said he wasn’t against a majority of the ordinance, but did oppose a section that would have prohibited discrimination in public accommodations — namely, restrooms and locker rooms.

Editorial Of The Day

From the editorial board of Montana's Billings Gazette:

Is it OK for a good worker to be fired because her employer learned she is lesbian? Is it right for a landlord to refuse to rent to otherwise qualified tenants because they are gay? Should local businesses be allowed to refuse service to people because they appear to be transgender? The answers are: No, no, no! Yet these questions are at the heart of debate on the non-discrimination ordinance up for consideration at the end of Monday’s Billings City Council agenda. And several council members have, so far, refused to take a stand against discrimination. The non-discrimination ordinance is about equal protection under the law. It would recognize that LGBT folks should have the same rights to live and work in Billings as everybody else does.

Everybody benefits with the NDO. Billings will be known as a safer, more welcoming city embracing the diversity that attracts new businesses and families. The LGBT minority will be assured that city law protects them the same as it protects all residents and visitors. People who believe LGBT people are wrong or sinful will continue to be free to think and pray whatever they want. However, no one will be able to discriminate in business transactions, hiring or housing. We ask all 11 council members to open their minds and hearts. If you can’t vote for the NDO out of compassion and concern for your LGBT constituents, vote for it because it will be good for business.

(Tipped by JMG reader Torger)