Even conservative Arkansas is capable of change — its people, not its government. On Tuesday, two localities gave the statehouse a lesson in what leadership should look like by passing measures that support LGBT rights.
In tiny Eureka Springs, a town of 2,000 in the Ozark Mountains, 70% of voters approved an anti-discrimination ordinance. The law had already been adopted by the town council, but religious conservatives insisted that the issue be put to the voters. Now they have a definitive answer. As gay rights leader Tippi McCullough, of the Arkansas Stonewall Democrats, put it:
Attitudes are changing in Arkansas, just as elsewhere. People are seeing that these measures don’t harm anyone. [source]
Granted, Eureka Springs is one of the more liberal towns in Arkansas. As a popular tourist destination, it’s mindful of its reputation, plus a significant portion of the population is gay. After Arkansas’ ban on gay marriage was struck down in court, Eureka Springs hosted the first gay wedding in the state.
Jerry Cox, president of a ‘traditional family values’ organization in Little Rock known as the Family Council, said:
As soon as that law goes into effect, any local law that conflicts with that simply would not be enforced. [source]
Wishful thinking, Jerry. The localities appear to have every intention of enforcing their new laws and think they have legal justification for doing so.
Act 137 says:
A county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state shall not adopt or enforce an ordinance, resolution, rule, or policy that creates a protected classification or prohibits discrimination on a basis not contained in state law. [source]the people are opening not only their eyes and ears but their minds too. LGBT rights to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness as guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence never seem to be brought up why is that are they not citizens of America too they obviously vote or for the republicans they would still be a non issue. i understand the haters not bringing up that tid bit of info but why haven't Progressives been making any noise.
republican religious talk about their rights that ARE NOT being trampled on but no mention on everyone else's they are trampling on two faced liars see things as they wrong we right to conversation needed. the changes are taking place exactly where the should where the root of the problem springs to life only fitting it dies there too.
to many on the republican side want to cherry pick who gets rights and who doesn't when every document laying out our manifesto says different. you have to ask yourself do these persons really know anything about how to run a gov't or have they just usurped it all and redesigned in their favor that's not governing that directing and dictating by oligarchy.
