NEWSFLASH: (11/03/09) Kalamazoo joins other Michigan cities in passing Non-Discrimination Ordinance!

Congratulations to Kalamazoo on the passage of Ordinance 1856 which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation. With passage of 1856, Kalamazoo joins nearly 20 other Michigan municipalities, such as Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Ferndale, East Lansing, and Grand Rapids, that have passed non-discrimination ordinances that outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. It ensures that LGBT people cannot be fired, denied housing or otherwise discriminated against in the City of Kalamazoo.

Non-discrimination ordinances vary widely in the available enforcement mechanism. In Kalamazoo, the ordinance is enforced through a complaint to the City Manager. In other cities such as Ann Arbor, the ordinance allows a victim of discrimination to file on their own behalf in court.