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Statements of Support
“Kalamazoo Communities In Schools (KCIS) affirms it own policy and practice---prohibiting discriminatory practices on the basis of gender (including pregnancy), gender identification, race, color, ethnic or religious background, descent or nationality, religion, height, weight, marital status, age, non-disqualifying handicap, veteran status or sexual orientation and KCIS finds discrimination in any of those forms inconsistent with its vision of an engaged community where every student fulfills his or her promise. “
Pam Kingery, Executive Director
Kalamazoo Communities In Schools
“The ACLU of Michigan supports Kalamazoo’s inclusive Non-Discrimination Ordinance because no one should be denied the right to fairness and equality in employment, housing, or public accommodations because of characteristics unrelated to their abilities, including sexual orientation and gender identity. Kalamazoo’s ordinance is a statement of fairness that recognizes and supports the diversity of all of its residents and visitors.”
Jay Kaplan, Staff Attorney
LGBT Project, ACLU of Michigan
“We are in full support of the Non-Discrimination Ordinance because we strongly believe in equality and fairness for all citizens of Kalamazoo. No person should be fired from their place of work, denied public accommodation or housing opportunities based on their race, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Antonio David Garcia, Executive Director
Kalamazoo Gay Lesbian Resource Center
“We, the present and voting members of People’s Church of Kalamazoo, believing that non-discrimination is at the core of our Unitarian Universalist values, support a yes vote on the Non-Discrimination Ordinance #1856, which the city of Kalamazoo will put to a vote in the November 3, 2009 election.”
Dale Abbott, President, Board of Trustees
People’s Church of Kalamazoo
”On behalf of the League of Women Voters of the Kalamazoo Area, I am pleased to let you know that our Board of Directors recently voted to support the Kalamazoo Non-Discrimination Ordinance on the November general election ballot. Our support was based on our national social policy positions.”
Terry Hluchyj, Co-President, Board of Directors
League of Women Voters of the Kalamazoo Area
“The Board of Directors support the expansion of the current city of Kalamazoo ordinance to prohibit housing discrimination on the basis of a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. We applaud the City Commission’s decision to broaden the categories of protection for all of our city residents.”
Matthew Baldwin-Wilson, Executive Director
Stuart Area Restoration Association
“Issues of discrimination are important to Disability Network because we, as part of the disability rights movement, had to fight long and hard to end legalized discrimination and win our own civil rights through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Knowing first-hand how lack of legal protection can lead to mistreatment and exclusion, Disability Network’s board of directors voted unanimously to support the non-discrimination ordinance in the City of Kalamazoo.”
Joel Cooper, Executive Director
Disability Network Southwest Michigan
“Quite simply, we believe in the unconditional acceptance of all. We love, care and nurture in non-judgmental, non-discriminating ways. As Kalamazoo’s only daytime shelter and resource center for people struggling with homelessness, poverty and mental illness, we provide an atmosphere, which fosters and encourages respect for one another. Our doors are open 365 days/year to anyone regardless of belief or circumstance.”
Kendra Stetser Rowe, Executive Director
Ministry with Community
“On September 17th, 2009 a motion and support "urging all Kalamazoo Democrats to vote YES for Ordinance 1856" passed unanimously by the 96 members of the KCDP Executive Committee. The Democratic Party believes that discrimination of any kind is wrong in the United States of America.”
David C. Pawloski, Chair
Kalamazoo County Democratic Party
“The Mission Statement of the Vine Neighborhood Association states - The Vine Neighborhood Association (“VINE”) exists to improve the overall quality of life in the Vine Neighborhood. VINE achieves its mission in part by: Building long-term residency, supporting economic success, enhancing safety and security, and building community by joining neighbors together.
Our support of Ordinance 1856 further demonstrates VINE’s commitment to our Mission Statement, as well as our commitment to our friends and neighbors to build a stronger community.”
Jennifer McVey, President
Vine Neighborhood Association
“At Progress Michigan we fight for freedom every day and there’s no more important freedom than the fair and equal treatment of all people under the law. People who work hard and play by the rules deserve a chance to provide for their families without discrimination. No one should be singled out and punished because of who they love and no one should be forced from their home because of discrimination.
Progress Michigan supports the One Kalamazoo Campaign because a YES vote on Ordinance 1856 is a vote for fairness, justice and freedom.”
Leigh Fifelski, Communications Director
Progress Michigan
“The Mission of the YWCA is eliminating racism, empowering women. Unlike many organizations that do not take positions on public policy issues, the YWCA does, because we believe that it is not enough to provide services, but that we must also work to change systems that make those services necessary. In keeping with our Mission, and our Vision for peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people, we support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender rights and equality. As such, we support the City of Kalamazoo’s non-discrimination ordinance, Ordinance 1856 and urge our constituents, and all voters in Kalamazoo, to vote, “YES!”
Jennifer A. Schoub, CEO
YWCA of Kalamazoo
“As a non-profit, community based organization with a mission “to ensure access to the highest quality comprehensive reproductive, sexual and related healthcare and education services”, Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan’s staff and board are also committed to providing those services to all persons.
Axiomatic to serving all persons is the respect afforded to each person as valuable members of the diverse and multi-cultural society and world in which we live. Appropriately then, Planned Parenthood supports the passage of the Non-Discrimination Ordinance as a visible and real sign that equality is being achieved in Kalamazoo.”
Rev. Mark R. Pawlowski, CEO
Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan
"I'm supporting the ordinance because discrimination is wrong and a 'yes' vote means 'yes to equality'. I know what discrimination feels like and I don't want to wish that on anyone. I'm trying to learn how to love my neighbor as myself--no exemptions. I encourage the community to vote yes for equality."
