KALAMAZOO -- The city of Kalamazoo has stepped beyond existing state and federal laws, making it illegal to use sexual orientation to discriminate in housing, public accommodations and employment.
The Kalamazoo City Commission voted 7-0 Monday night to adopt an expanded anti-discrimination ordinance that makes it a municipal civil infraction to discriminate against gays, lesbians and transgender citizens.
The concept was brought to city leaders by the Kalamazoo Alliance for Equality and was modified by City Attorney Clyde Robinson to pattern similar language adopted by Ann Arbor and 15 other Michigan cities.
During public comment Monday night, commissioners heard only support for the measure, including a letter of backing from the city's Community Relations Board.
Terry Kuseske, a KAFE spokesman and chairman of the Kalamazoo Planning Commission, called the action "a bold move whose time has come."
Under terms of the 10-page city ordinance, sexual orientation is added to a list that includes race, religion, ethnic background, gender, marital status and physical characteristics which may not be used to disqualify people from housing, public accommodations or employment.
See Kalamazoo City Commission unanimously approves gay-rights ordinance
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