(Detroit Free Press) Conflict in Dearborn over LGBTQ books in public schools has drawn national attention among Muslims as liberals and conservatives clash over differing views on religion while political candidates in Michigan campaign in the diverse Detroit suburb.
Amid concern about negative perceptions of the city, Dearborn City Council voted 5-1 Tuesday night to approve a resolution introduced by Councilman Mustapha Hammoud affirming that Dearborn is a welcoming place open to all and does not discriminate against anyone, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Councilman Ken Paris opposed the resolution, calling it repetitive. Also last week, a liberal Islamic group, Muslims for Progressive Values, issued a statement expressing support for queer Muslims in Dearborn and criticizing another Muslim group that’s more socially conservative, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Michigan, for supporting the protesters.
