SPARTA, Mich. (AP) — A transgender woman is running for township supervisor in a rural community north of Grand Rapids.
Gidget Groendyk was the first person to get on the ballot for the township supervisor race in Sparta. The Grand Rapids Press reports that the ballot will note that Groendyk was formerly known as Scott Wade Langford.
Groendyk says she’s running because she wants the township to enact a non-discrimination ordinance with protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents.
State law doesn’t provide housing or employment protections for LGBT residents, but some municipalities have passed ordinances regarding discrimination based on sexual orientation.
April 19 is the deadline to get on the ballot for the August primary elections.
