Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Topeka, KS Votes In Favor Of City Gay Rights Ordinance
Jael Phelps, granddaughter of legendary homophobe Reverand Fred Phelps, has lost her bid to unseat out lesbian councilwoman, Tiffany Muller. Jael, who never used her infamous last name on her campaign materials, save for the small type at the bottom, was soundly defeated in yesterday's vote, only managing to eke out 202 votes. (Most of those votes probably come from the inbred Westboro Baptist Church community, which is primarily made up of Phelps family and offspring.) Also, Topeka voters voted against repealing an anti-discrimination ordinance meant to protect gay and lesbian city workers. Sorry Fred, but people dislike hate speech, even though they may agree with your homophobia.
This from the New York Times:
Lesbian Candidate Holds Off Foe as Topeka Votes for Gay Rights
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: March 2, 2005
TOPEKA, Kan., March 1 (AP) - An effort to repeal a city ordinance that protects gays from discrimination failed on Tuesday night, and a lesbian city councilwoman turned back a primary challenge by the granddaughter of the minister who orchestrated the repeal campaign.
The minister, the Rev. Fred Phelps Sr., who is known for picketing the funerals of AIDS victims, wanted to remove from the books a city ordinance that prohibits discrimination against gays in municipal hiring. The repeal, which was denied on a vote of 14,285 to 12,795, would have barred Topeka from reinstating such protections for 10 years.
A granddaughter of Mr. Phelps, Jael Phelps, was among three candidates who challenged the lesbian councilwoman, Tiffany Muller, in a nonpartisan primary.
Ms. Muller, 26, pushed for the antidiscrimination ordinance after she was appointed to fill a vacancy on the council last year.
More Here
This from the New York Times:
Lesbian Candidate Holds Off Foe as Topeka Votes for Gay Rights
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: March 2, 2005
TOPEKA, Kan., March 1 (AP) - An effort to repeal a city ordinance that protects gays from discrimination failed on Tuesday night, and a lesbian city councilwoman turned back a primary challenge by the granddaughter of the minister who orchestrated the repeal campaign.
The minister, the Rev. Fred Phelps Sr., who is known for picketing the funerals of AIDS victims, wanted to remove from the books a city ordinance that prohibits discrimination against gays in municipal hiring. The repeal, which was denied on a vote of 14,285 to 12,795, would have barred Topeka from reinstating such protections for 10 years.
A granddaughter of Mr. Phelps, Jael Phelps, was among three candidates who challenged the lesbian councilwoman, Tiffany Muller, in a nonpartisan primary.
Ms. Muller, 26, pushed for the antidiscrimination ordinance after she was appointed to fill a vacancy on the council last year.
More Here
