http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/topeka_gay_rightsTOPEKA, Kan. - A minister known for picketing the funerals of AIDS (news - web sites) victims failed in his attempt to repeal a Topeka ordinance that prohibits discrimination against homosexuals in municipal hiring.
The Rev. Fred Phelps Sr. was undaunted after voters upheld the anti-discrimination measure Tuesday and publicly dared the City Council to enact another, broader ordinance.
"If you succeed in passing a gay-rights ordinance, the next morning, we'll be back on the streets, collecting signatures," he said.
In final, unofficial results, 53 percent, or 14,285, opposed the repeal effort, while 47 percent, or 12,795, voted for the repeal. Had it passed, the measure also would have blocked future efforts to reinstate such a law for 10 years.