It was a busy day for the city clerk’s office in Salina as staff sorted through a petition with over 2,000 signatures on it.
Those names on the list would like the city to overturn an anti-discrimination policy that deals with gender identity and sexual orientation.
In late May, the City Commission passed that anti-discrimination ordinance, it makes it illegal to discriminate against someone based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
But soon after, those against the decision started collecting petition signatures. Now the commission could let voters decide whether the ordinance stands. People would then vote on it in the November general election.
“The good news is that it will come at a time when there is a large turn-out…so we will get a representation of how people feel”, says Gina McDonald who is the director of human relations in Salina.
Officials add the downside to the big turn-out and adding the ordinance to the ballot is just that…there is already so much on the ballot…some fear the ordinance could get overlooked.
Supporters who want to see the anti-discrimination policy reviewed say they are not worried and want to see what the voters choose.
The ordinance was introduced to the Salina city commission in February of this year and passed in May by a 3-2 vote.
