QuoteKALAMAZOO -- Petitions seeking the repeal of a new city ordinance that expands protected-class status to include gays, lesbians and transgender individuals were filed late Wednesday at Kalamazoo City Hall.

City Clerk Scott Borling said circulators submitted about 189 pages of petitions that they estimated contained nearly 1,600 signatures.

According to Borling, if at least 1,273 of those signatures are from valid city registered voters, the anti-discrimination ordinance will be immediately suspended and the Kalamazoo City Commission could decide the law's future Jan. 26.

Under the city charter, valid referendum petitions require commissioners to take up the challenge at their next regular meeting, either repealing the earlier action or placing the measure on a citywide ballot for voters to decide.

In the interim, provisions of the ordinance would be immediately suspended if Borling determines sufficient signatures have been presented.