LGBTQA rights were debated Thursday night for the third straight month at a city council meeting.

LGBTQA stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and allied.

Once again, so many people showed up that the meeting was moved from the city building to the Butler Fire Department’s fire hall for part of the meeting.

People on both sides of the issue debated an anti-discrimination ordinance that was initially rejected by the council in 2011, and revived in June after the mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla.

Seventeen people spoke on the proposed ordinance this time. While last time, the majority spoke against it, this meeting found nine people speaking out in favor of it, and nine speaking out against it.

The ordinance, initially created by Parents, Friends, and Family of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) in part, states: “To ensure that all persons regardless of actual or perceived race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, age, mental or physical disability, use of guide or support animals and/or mechanical aids, enjoy the full benefits of citizenship and are afforded equal opportunities for employment, housing and the use of public accommodations, and to have equal access to post-secondary educational institutions, it is necessary that appropriate legislation be enacted.”

Heidi Artman, executive director of Victim Outreach Intervention Center in Butler, spoke first.

“We’re in the year 2016,” she said. “It’s beyond time that there is fair and equal treatment to all people in the city of Butler.”

The next several people who spoke after her also were in favor of the ordinance, including Jodi Ann Solito. She argued that the ordinance would help the economy.

“Having an inclusive workplace helps attract and retain quality employees,” she said. “Non-discrimination protection also attracts new investment to local economies, which generates new jobs and long-term sustainable growth.”

City treasurer John Grenci spoke about men who identify as women being able to use women’s bathrooms.

“In their quest for comfort to be able to use the bathroom of their choice, it directly interferes with the comfort of many, I would say most women in the bathroom,” he said. “Why does nobody mention that? Do they even realize it is an issue?”

Barbara Davidson shared his concern. She cited Target’s decision to allow transgender men to use women’s bathrooms.

“I would ask the city council the same question that the attorney general of Texas asked of all the Target stores in his state,” she said. “What safety features are you going to enact for unisex bathrooms?”

Art Greathead spoke on the bathroom issue from a different perspective.

“As for all the LGBT paranoia, they have been around and using bathrooms since the time of Christ without social catastrophe,” he said.

Jeremy Samek spoke representing pastors Jeff and Bev Harris of Crossroad Community. He spoke about religious liberty.

“There is a difference between discriminating against somebody because of their orientation versus saying I can’t participate in a message or a ceremony or event that conflicts with my conscience,” he said.

Bonnie Humphrey spoke about religion from a different point of view.

“Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself,” she said. “How do you do that? Jesus set the example. Who are the people he hung out with? Look around you. These are your neighbors.”

Pastor Todd Wentworth, of First Baptist Church, was against the ordinance, and asked the council to do more research.

“Please become so very educated about this,” he said. “We see it in our country with politicians who say we just got to pass things and say then we’ll find out what’s in it. How foolish.”

The council reacted to the debate. Councilman Michael Walter was glad to hear both sides out.

“I’m all in favor of anybody coming if they have anything for the good of the community to say,” he said.

Councilwoman Kathy Kline also commented.

“I’m trying to understand both sides of it,” she said. “I still am where I am, which is on the fence, because I still have a couple of folks that I want to speak with but I’m doing my homework.”

Mayor Tom Donaldson spoke against the ordinance.

“Butler is a welcoming community; everybody’s welcome here,” he said. “I don’t care what they say, I don’t know of any cases of discrimination that have been verified by any public record.

“This has not been brought up for a vote. It’s my understanding that some of the people that are in favor of it have said on social media that they intend to wear us down. I will publicly say that I am not going to ever vote for this because I feel that it’s bad for the community.”

Councilman Kenny Bonus, in his first official meeting as a councilman, said he needed to do more research on the topic before commenting. Councilman Corey Roche was absent from the meeting.

The anti-discrimination ordinance is currently not on the agenda for September.