Kalamazoo Steps Up to the GLBT Plate

The city of Kalamazoo, Michigan has gone above and beyond existing state and federal laws in efforts to provide equality.

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. It is now illegal to use sexual orientation to discriminate in housing, public accommodations and employment.

The idea was originated 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, prior to being presented to the city for approval.

Terry Kuseske, 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.

In addition, contractors seeking to do business with the city must now show proof they have a policy prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Hats off to Kalamazoo!