By BTL Staff
ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor non-discrimination ordinance was one of the first of its kind in Michigan to add sexual orientation to the list of protections in 1978 and added gender identity a few years later. This week the city adopted a revamped ordinance adding in protections against discrimination for housing, employment and public accommodations for victims of domestic violence and stalking.
The City Council added the updated protections on the basis of gender expression, veteran status, political beliefs, genetic information, arrest record and familial status.
City Council members voted unanimously to pass the update and were saluted by representatives from the Jim Toy Community Center, ACLU of Michigan, Huron Valley Central Labor Council and other members of the LGBT community.
MLive reports that the revised ordinance aligns more closely with state and federal non-discrimination legislation and guidelines, modifies the requirements placed on public contractors in order to comply with state law and revises the local complaint and enforcement process, according to the city attorney's office. The revision also reflects changes required to affirmative action, city reorganization and changes to the city's Human Rights Commission.
Michigan legislature has yet to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of statewide protected classes.
