The people trying to put Jackson's non-discrimination ordinance on the ballot tell FOX 47 News they're close to having enough signatures.
Earlier this month, the city council passed the ordinance banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender-identity.
Opponents want to leave it up to the voters.
“It’s a very important issue and I know it’s a very sensitive issue,” said Father Tim Nelson from Saint Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church. “When you've got something like that it needs to go to the full community that it's going to effect.”
The director of Jackson’s newly formed pride center isn't concerned with the petition's momentum, not with the amount of support received.
“Our community is standing behind us,” said Nikki Holy, Director of the Jackson Pride Center. “70 of the local businesses are still standing behind us.”
Whatever the ordinances future may be, already it's done some good.
“This has brought the community at large together and stronger than ever,” said Joly. “For a long time the community has been fragmented and we are always stronger together.”
The group has until March 9th to get 342 signatures from registered voters in Jackson.
The city can't tell us when the proposal would be on the ballot until it clarifies some technicalities in state law.
