Not in this Springfield. In one of the real ones.
In a narrow vote yesterday (Tuesday, April 7), voters in Springfield, Mo. repealed an ordinance that extended anti-discrimination protections to LGBT citizens, six months after it was put on the books.
Opponents of the ordinance say that the outcome of the vote is a victory for the faith community, as the ordinance had “many potential legal ramifications for businesses.”
LGBT-rights advocates were disappointed by the results of the vote, but pledged to continue the fight for more comprehensive protections for the LGBT community.
The Springfield News-Ledger said emotions were running high during the election.
Krista Moncado, a supporter of the ordinance, said, “Either way, it was going to be emotional… People have worked so hard on this. We’ll rest tonight and we’ll regroup tomorrow.”
The ordinance has been on hold since it was passed six months ago. Mayor Bob Stephens said the issue should be decided on the federal level.
Missouri is not a marriage equality state, but it is the only state under court order to recognize marriages performed elsewhere. Also, St. Louis issues marriage licenses as a result of court case and Kansas City does as well, well, just because they found they could and no one was going to stop them.
