They were two weeks too late, but about a half dozen citizens appeared before the Wayland City Council Monday night to protest against an ordinance adopted May 18.
Their comments opened questions about how the city would enforce transgender individuals using what most might regard as inappropriate bathrooms, but otherwise, the anti-discrimination ordinance stands because it was adopted on a 6-0 vote by council May 18 after it was given two readings.
Two among the group spoke to the council about their opposition.
One was the Rev. Tim Mattison of the First Baptist Church of Wayland, who indicated he opposed it because of protections for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. He gave three reasons.
The first, he said, was that, “God Blesses our city. The Bible is very clear that homosexual behavior is not pleasing to God… We live in a world created by God with a fixed moral order.”
The second reason, he said, “It’s not necessary. The city manager himself said there is no discrimination in Wayland. So why are we passing a law against something that doesn’t exist?”
The third, he said, is that “It’s harsh against those who disagree… Some people look at its as immoral, some say it’s just fine and some don’t care. In a free society we need to respect those with whom we differ.”
Marilyn Hyzer also spoke, saying she was afraid she “would be targeted as a bigot.” She said that in her career as a teacher she had acted behalf on gay people, but told them she thought their lifestyle was wrong.
She claimed that under this ordinance, “Businesses would have to go against their principles just to have a business.”
The ordinance specifies fines for businesses that refuse to serve gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people.
Hyzer said she also has major issues with transgender people who would be allowed to go into whichever public restroom they choose.
“I would be uncomfortable if a man would be allowed legally to come into a woman’s rest room and I could be sued for opposing it.”
City Manager Mike Selden said enforcement of the local ordinance would insist that people who are physically males would have to use male restrooms.
However, there is some doubt cast by federal guidelines for non-discrimination.
Wayland last month became the 39th local municipality to adopt an ordinance against discriminating against people because of their sexual orientation. Selden, just before it was approved, had commented that there is no discrimination in Wayland, but it could be possible in the future because of incidents reported in Indiana and Oregon.
Though the ordinance has been criticized as giving special protections for the LGBT community, proponents insist it simply provides such people the same privileges and protections under the law as everyone else.
