On Tuesday, almost 37% of Topeka, Kansas voters turned out to vote on a city ban which would have prohibited any legislation preventing discrimination against gays and lesbians, including hate crime legislation. This ban would have made Topeka the only city with such an ordinance, which could not have been repealed for at least ten years due to Kansas law.
Almost 53% of voters cast their ballot against the ban, with about 47% voting for it.
The ubiquitous Phelps clan of Westboro Baptist Church (they of "God Hates Fags" signage displayed at every opportunity in Topeka and elsewhere) got this initiative on the ballot through a petition drive. Other religious groups such as Truth in Love Outreach (yes, irony is dead) also backed the ban. They explain the ban's failure at the polls by pointing to confusing wording.
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