Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Houghton County Commissioner Joel Keranen’s resolution declaring there are only two sexes brought a firestorm of protest. Approximately 150 people spoke during the public comment period before Tuesday’s Board meeting, most of whom spoke against the document.

HOUGHTON – The Houghton County Board of Commissioners Tuesday rejected a proposed resolution declaring there are only two sexes, male and female. The proposal, authored by Commissioner Joel Keranen, was reject by a 4-1 vote with only Keranen voting in favor. Keranen represents District 2 made up of Franklin, Osceola, Schoolcraft and Torch Lake Townships

Kereanen’s resolution states, in part: “A male has XY Chromosomes, and a female has XX Chromosomes.” It then goes on state: “If you are born a male XY or born a female XX that sex will follow you from your birth, marriage and death certificate –“.

During the regular December Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, Keranen defended his resolution, saying to claim someone born intersex cannot be male or female, and therefore must be provided another box to check, seems inhumane.

“I’m not denying that there are people who struggle with gender identity. I just do not think the way our society has chosen to support these people is best,” Keranen said. “We should find better ways to do this, and that can be a topic for another time. I’m glad that this has garnered much attention. It gives me an opportunity to explain myself and hopefully bring the people together rather than divide us.”

Keranen said the resolution does not deny anyone’s rights, nor was that its purpose. “The purpose is the counterculture that seeks to undermine the definition of gender and destroy the notion that we are created male and female,” he said. “I believe this culture, which has largely been targeting towards young adults and children, has not been helpful, but rather hurtful to many people.”

Commissioner Gretchen Janssen she initially intended to enter a motion to remove the resolution from the agenda. “If this agenda item had been removed, then the several hours of public comment that we just went through wouldn’t have happened,” she said, referring to approximately 150 people who addressed the Board, “and I think it was very important that we did hear from everybody, both sides.” Janssen went on to say that in her opinion, the resolution was in violation of the Elliot Larson Civil Rights Act.

The Elliot Larson Act of 1976, according to michigan.gov, defines civil rights. It prohibits discriminatory practices, policies, and customs in the exercise of those rights based upon religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status; to preserve the confidentiality of records regarding arrest, detention, or other disposition in which a conviction does not result; to prescribe the powers and duties of the civil rights commission and the department of civil rights; to provide remedies and penalties; to provide for fees; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts.”

Board Chairman Tom Tikkanen also opposed the resolution, saying it is outside the purview of a County Board. The role of a commissioner, he said, is to keep the county functioning and provided services the Board of Commissioners is obligated to provide, along with those it is able to provide.

“In addition, my greatest concerns are: What are we going to do when when our jail is closed? What are we going to do when the capacity is exceeded at our transfer station? What are we going to do when the Portage Lift Bridge fails? Those are just a few examples,” he said. “And while I choose to run as a Republican, part of my core beliefs is that, as a commissioner, my opinion on this has no bearing. That’s not what the county government is here to promote, one way or the other. The only thing I know for sure is that I can’t change people. That’s not my job, and with all due respect. I do not support a resolution like this, or of any other nature, that’s somehow declaring that the people of Houghton County feel one way or another on subjects that don’t affect common operations.”

Commission Roy Britz said after Commissioners Janssen and Tikkanen spoke there was not much he could add. “I echo what both Commissioner Janssen and Chairman Tikkanen said. This has nothing to do with the governance of the county board,” Britz said.

Commissioner Glenn Anderson, however, took issue with the resolution. “I’ll accept Joel’s comment that he did not intend to hurt anyone, but this resolution absolutely does, and for no tangible reason or benefit to anyone,” Anderson said. “It stigmatized transgender and intersex people … Our county deserves better than that.”

Anderson went on to say that he believes Houghton County has been welcoming to all people, regardless of gender, and especially because of the history of the two universities in this county for decades, one university today.

“We have a fabric in the community of welcoming all kinds of people.” Anderson said. “We have diverse religions; we have diverse ethnicity; we have diverse people in our community. We always have, and to ignore that is a peril, I think, for all of us.”