Crowd turns out to debate human rights proclamation at Norman City Council

The proclamation presented by the city's Human Rights Commission is designed to promote understanding and fair treatment of gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people, Chairman Michael Ridgeway said.

These people "feel bullied, treated unfairly and are often discriminated against," Ridgeway said.

"I believe we should treat all people the same, but I don't think it is necessary to single out a group as being different. We're all different," said Dawn Hanson.

Fred Pope said the council should reject the proclamation because it undermines raising a family and promotes a destructive lifestyle.

"It is dangerous to the community," he said.

Passing a proclamation "only serves to highlight the issue," Joe Love said. "The majority of the community doesn't want to have this argument. What you decide to do in the privacy of your own home, that's your business. I don't see it is an appropriate subject to dwell on."