The Detroit News. Royal Oak voters will cast ballots on two proposals in a Tuesday special election. However, the other measure, Proposal 2, is controversial and has drawn attention beyond the city limits.
Backers say the ordinance is needed to prevent discrimination.
The proposed new rules borrow heavily from the language contained in state and federal law. But it adds sexual orientation as a protected category. While discrimination against any group, including gays, is unacceptable, the measure creates a new protected group at the local level. It would be better for mutual tolerance and harmony for law to apply to all rather than proliferating specially protected groups. As for Proposal 1 on Tuesday's ballot, we urge a yes vote.