TRAVERSE CITY -- Traverse City's non-discrimination ordinance has been in effect for almost 9 months, but now a group is a step closer to overturning it.

A group led by Paul Nepote, a Traverse City resident who speaks out against homosexuals, turned in signatures to put the city's non-discrimination ordinance on the November ballot.

The signatures still need to be reviewed.

Traverse City Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the ordinance in October 2010. It prohibits discrimination because of sexual orientation in areas of employment and housing.

Traverse City Mayor Chris Bzdok says if voters overturn the ordinance it could drive away business and leave people open to persecution because of their sexual orientation.

Opponents say it is unnecessary and gives the city a bad label.