Activists Push LGBT Rights in Holland, Mich.

Trudy Ring

Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.

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Trudy Ring

July 04 2011 5:35 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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About 40 supporters of an LGBT rights ordinance rallied Monday on the steps of City Hall in Holland, Mich.

Last month the City Council voted down the ordinance 5-4, but supporters in the western Michigan city are not giving up, although they are changing strategy, local TV station WZZM reports.

"I announced that I was going to start a petition drive and ask the voters of Holland to approve a gay rights ordinance," Bill Freeman, a leader of the effort, told today's gathering. "After much deliberation, I have decided not to do that, because I don't think you ask for the majority to vote for the rights of the minority."

Instead, he and fellow activists plan to attend every City Council meeting and ask opponents of the ordinance to reconsider. The next meeting is Wednesday.

Holland is home to Hope College, a school affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church, and is noted for its Dutch cultural attractions, including the annual Tulip Festival.