UPDATE: In 2024 MCL 46.410 changed County Commissioners terms, expanding a member’s time on a board of commissioners to four years. This included members elected in the November 2024 election. Houghton County’s five commissioner seats were elected in that cycle and will conclude their four-year term at the end of 2028. Prior to this change county commissioners served two -year terms in the state of Michigan. All county commission elections in Houghton County occur on even numbered years.
Houghton County voted down a resolution that would have recognized only two sexes and encouraged other counties to follow suit. After a nearly four-hour public comment period, the Houghton County Board of Commissioners rejected the proposal in a 4-1 vote. Commissioner Joel Keranen, who drafted the Two Sexes resolution, was the lone dissenting vote.
The commission meeting began chaotically as people packed the Houghton County Circuit Courtroom beyond capacity, forcing many to stand in hallways and stairwells. Online, the meeting saw 400 viewers log on. Most speakers voiced opposition to the “two sexes” resolution.
The vast majority of comments addressed the entire board in a civil manner. Many cited research showing sex and gender are complex topics, not easily boiled down without a solid understanding of terminology and scientific findings.
Others shared personal stories of discrimination and exclusion, including accounts of friends who died by suicide due to bullying and their own struggles with mental health. Several spiritual leaders opposed the resolution but encouraged open dialogue.
A few comments targeted Commissioner Keranen directly, prompting Chairman Tom Tikkanen to remind attendees to address the board as a whole and to maintain civility.
“Speaking as a physician and scientist, there are many biological variations. Turner syndrome occurs in about 1 in 2,000 births; Klinefelter syndrome in about 1 in 600; and Triple X syndrome in about 1 in 1,000 births,” said Shelby Owens of Lake Linden.
“If you follow this resolution, she would be listed as male. She’s intersex, occurring about as frequently as red hair. Her condition, androgen insensitivity syndrome, is scientifically recognized,” added Alan Salmi of Hancock.
While most opposed the measure, several supported it. Copper Country Republicans President Dan Holcomb said the party did not influence the resolution but “fully supports it as a matter of principle,” explaining it reflected historical election splits, roughly 60-40.
Supporters included a woman who shared discomfort at unknowingly sharing a changing room with a transgender person at Michigan Tech. Others expressed belief in binary male and female biology, citing conservative Christian values.
Most compelling were comments urging the board to focus on more pressing county issues. A mental health professional reminded the commission of a $2 million allocation for addiction recovery programs set aside two years ago.
Another commenter highlighted the county’s master plan, expiring in 2028, noting unaddressed projects such as a second bridge crossing, expansion of the waste transfer station, road improvements (including Superior Road), jail facility discussions, and efforts to attract business and industry.
Several speakers also noted the resolution conflicts with Michigan law. Specifically citing the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act that was updated in 2023 to include protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Motions to move the resolution up the agenda and open discussion were made by Commissioners Glenn Anderson and Gretchen Jansen. Keranen opened the discussion stating, “This culture, largely targeting young adults and children, has been more hurtful than helpful. You’re free to identify as you wish. Many brave men and women died for us to enjoy this freedom. You can change the façade of your body, but the infrastructure remains the same.”
Chairman Tikkanen disagreed, citing Keranen’s remarks about leaving ideology at the door and emphasizing the county’s proper role.
Tikkanen added, “My biggest concerns are jail closure, transfer station capacity, and the Portage Lift Bridge’s condition. While I represent my district as a Republican, this is not an issue county government should promote one way or the other. I can’t change people.”
Commissioner Jansen considered removing the item from the agenda. Anderson was disappointed the issue had reached the board at all. Commissioner Britz agreed, noting the county must focus more on safety, infrastructure, and economic vitality.
The board voted 4-1 against resolution 2025-032.
Following the vote, the commission proceeded with a lengthy agenda, including a report from Canal View Executive Director Adam Laplander, approval of the 2026 calendar, maternity leave for a staff member, contractual IT work starting in January, a resolution supporting a new Upper Peninsula Behavioral Health Hospital, the county’s credit card policy, payment to Tri-County Defenders, and establishing a death certificate filing fee charged to funeral homes when using services provided by the medical examiner.
Houghton County’s Board of Commissioners seats will appear on the November 2028 ballot. Keranen was elected to his first full term in 2024, the only incumbent challenged that year. He was appointed in 2023 following the death of former Commissioner Al Koskela.
Find full statements from the Board of Commissioners during discussion below.
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Commissioner Joel Keranen:
This resolution was drafted and submitted for consideration by me. It was nice that such a large number of people have taken the initiative and interest in the process for this resolution. That is what this country is all about, whether you agree or disagree. I have heard from plenty of people on both sides of the particular subject. When I drafted this resolution, I drafted it after reviewing, as I mentioned, first marriage and death certificates. And those certificates have options of other, unknown/undetermined. I don’t think those are necessary.
This resolution doesn’t take rights away from anyone, nor is that the purpose. The purpose is the counter the culture that seeks to undermine the definition of gender and destroy the notion that we are created male and female. I believe this culture, which has largely been targeted towards young adults and children, has not been helpful, but rather hurtful to many people. You are completely free to identify however you wish, and in this country you should be provided the same comforts as anyone else.
Many brave men women have died for us to enjoy this freedom. You can choose to change the facade of your body, but the infrastructure will remain the same. If you were born a male with XY chromosomes, you’ll be married as a male with XY chromosomes if you choose to get married. And when you die as a male, you will have XY chromosomes. Again, you are free to identify however you choose, but the infrastructure does not and cannot change. If you think you do, if you think it does, That is a lie. The man speaking today is no better or no worse than the next person, no matter how they identify. Anyone who is transgender, intersex, or any other race, sex or creed, you are welcome here and you belong here in Houghton County.
I believe we are all created equally by a loving God with attributes and qualities that do not depend on our chromosomes. We all have innate values. Some have said this resolution is hate. The resolution says nothing about hating anyone. It simply states what I and so many other residents believe to be true. I think people are inserting the word hate where they should be inserting worldview or belief.
Many of you disagree with me. That is okay. You are here protesting. That is great. It’s your right to be heard. By the same token, should I have to leave my core beliefs at the door of the court house while everyone else can bring their beliefs into discussion and debate? Should I not bring forth a topic that affects each resident of county when they are born, when they get married, and when they die?
Is this not relevant? Because I brought this resolution, should I be called terrible names? Should I be targeted? Should I be hated? Isn’t that what we’re trying to avoid? That is wrong. Nobody should have to face discrimination or feel that they don’t belong. Hate is something that’s not helpful in any situation, and when you bring hate to any party, goodness can’t exist. My beliefs say, do not hate, but rather love your neighbor. And your neighbor is everyone inside and outside of open company. However, love does not equal agreement.
I do not believe that anyone can choose their own gender. I do not think it would be loving for me to agree that one can. I would be propagating a lie. Some have challenged my resolution based on the case of people who were born intersex, but if we are honest, that is not what this resolution or debate is about. But to claim someone who was born intersex cannot be male or female, and therefore must be provided another box to check, seems quite 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. We should find better ways to do this, and that could 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. Thank you.
Commission Chairman Tom Tikkanen:
I’ve been a commissioner for on and off 10 years now and it’s been an honor and privilege to serve as chair since our late chairman Koskela’s passed. But in my opinion, the role of a commissioner is to keep the county functioning and provide the services that we are obligated to provide along with those that we are able to provide in addition. My greatest concerns are what are we going to do 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.
And while I choose to run as a Republican to represent my district, 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 county operations.
Commissioner Gretchen Jansen:
So I had intended to, when we came to the agenda, approving the agenda or not, had intended to make a motion that we remove this agenda item. But in a conversation, I had yesterday with a friend, they commented that…
We were expecting a large group here to protest and that they came here to have a voice heard. If this agenda item had been removed, then the several hours of public comment that we just went through wouldn’t have happened. And I think it was very important that we did hear from everybody, both sides.
The reason that I would want to remove this agenda item is that I don’t feel like the content of it has anything to do with what my job is as a county commissioner. many comments were made today that I guess I agree with, and one in particular that I think is huge is just that that resolution is illegal because of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. so therefore, on comments made about potential lawsuits and things like that, yes, I agree with that. So I will be in no vote.
Commissioner Roy Britz:
Being the third Commissioner to speak, not much more I can say. I echo what both Commissioner Jansen and Chairman Tikkanen said. This has nothing to do with the governance of the county board.
Commissioner Glenn Anderson:
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. It stigmatizes transgender and intersex people, and it makes Houghton County look small, uninformed, and hostile rather than strong, principled, and compassionate.
The county deserves better than that. I believe Houghton County has been welcoming to all people regardless of gender and any sexuality. 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, diverse, we have diverse religion, we have diverse ethnic, we have diverse people in our community, we always have and to ignore that is at peril I think for all of us.
The one person mentioned, you know, that this isn’t the silent majority and I would say the opposite. This is the silent majority speaking. When we had 88 speakers, 350 people, 356 people on Zoom, at least 250 to how many? 400. They had at least 250 to 300 show up in person. All of us got 400 or 500 emails and I stopped counting after a first few minutes. All in a short period of time. Hundreds of calls, hundreds of voicemails.
And all with powerful words, powerful voices. And even those who were opposed tonight, or opposed tp Joel, had powerful statements. But overall, the power of the voices has to be heard. And I just think we’re a better county, we’re a better community than the resolution tries to put us at.
And like we said, we’re almost in 2026 now. We time that has rolled on in this country. And we have to grasp it. And for those who can’t accept it, that’s their they’re right. At least for me, uh we have to be open, respectful of all peoples, which is our history. And some of us have had emails from parents of Michigan Tech students asking is it safe for them to send their students to Michigan Tech. We all have gotten it now because of this resolution, because it does matter. And hopefully we can send an answer to that, that we are a safe and welcoming community.
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