An unanimous Kalamazoo City Commission
voted Monday to protect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people
from discrimination, reports the Kalamazoo Gazette.
The ordinance makes it illegal to use
sexual orientation to discriminate in the areas of housing, public
accommodations and employment.
Kalamazoo, population 77,000, joins 15
other Michigan cities in passing such legislation.
The Kalamazoo Alliance for Equality, a
group that works for GLBT rights in and around the city, had pushed
for the legislation.
“A bold move whose time has come,”
said Terry Kuseske, a KAFE spokesman and chairman of the Kalamazoo
Planning Commission.
The city of Kalamazoo is home to
Western Michigan University and several well-known corporations,
Pfizer and Eaton Corporation included.
The ordinance also requires businesses
conducting business with the city to show proof of having a
non-discriminatory sexual orientation policy.
An offense carries a fine of not more
than $500. Churches and individuals renting out a portion of their
own residence are exempted.