Hamtramck United hosts drag event to raise funds for ordinance

Next Wednesday, Hamtramck will celebrate the right to protecton from discrimination in a different way – by hosting a drag show.
Hamtramck United, which is hosting the event, is a broad coalition of residents representing people from the faith community, business leaders, community activists and policy makers who have united in support of social justice and equality for all residents of Hamtramck.
The group, which has spent the past month or so raising funds, hopes to encourage voters to vote "No" on a ballot measure that will keep sexual orientation and gender identity and expression out of the city's human rights ordinance.
The ballot measure came about after the ordinance, passed by Hamtramck City Council earlier this summer, was challenged by Jay McNeely of Ypsilanti and Gary Glenn of the American Family Association of Michigan. Presented with over 700 signatures, the ordinance was decided to be voted upon by the city on Nov. 4.
Hamtramck United has continually expressed their need for help in the fight to protect their human rights ordinance.
Hamtramck is currently the only city in Michigan facing a vote on a comprehensive human rights ordinance. If the ordinance is voted on to include all types of discrimination, it will join almost 20 other cities in the state with similar ordinances. These include Lansing and Detroit.
An Evening of Discriminating Drag is the first part of a series of three events, collectively named "Unity," to raise funds for Hamtramck United's cause. Held at the Shadow Bar in Hamtramck on Sept. 10, the evening of drag will be hosted by Sabin and include music by DJ John Cruz.
The event will feature such drag show favorites as Jolene, Deja Van Cartier and Tianna Rambous.
Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are only $10 and are available for purchase online at http://www.hamtramckunited.org for one, or all three, events. Tickets will also be available at the door.