Royal Oak voters approve human rights referendum

ROYAL OAK (AP) -- Voters in the Detroit suburb of Royal Oak approved a human rights ordinance that makes it illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation and a number of other factors. The referendum appeared on the ballot for Tuesday's election. In addition to sexual orientation, it amends the city code to prohibit discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, gender, age, height, weight, condition of pregnancy, marital status, physical or mental limitation, source of income, gender identity and HIV status. The City Commission approved the human rights ordinance on a 6-1 vote March 4. But the commission a month later voted unanimously to place the measure on the ballot after a petition drive blocked it from going into effect. Published: Thu, Nov 7, 2013