Bowling Green Knocks Down Discrimination

After finishing a count of provisional ballots Monday, election officials in Bowling Green, Ohio, announced that voters had approved two ordinances banning discrimination against LGBT residents, The Blade of Toledo reports.

The ordinances, one covering housing and another employment and other areas, were passed by the city council in August 2009, but citizens circulated petitions to put the measures to a popular vote November 2. It initially looked as though voters had approved the housing ordinance but not the employment one. Now, after the count of all provisional ballots, both have passed, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Provisional ballots played a large role because many Bowling Green State University students had cast such ballots.

"The voters of Bowling Green sent a message that affirms that we are 'One Bowling Green' and we are fair and welcoming," said Jane Rosser, who chaired the One Bowling Green campaign in favor of the ordinances. "We began this campaign truly believing in a community that wants every person to be treated fairly, to have a fair chance, to be able to live, work, go to school, and play in our community without fear or discrimination."

The laws take effect in 30 days.