Columbia, Mo., becomes sixth Missouri community to outlaw gender discrimination [View all]

[iris27]

This is interesting - I didn't think any cities had done this, but apparently KC, STL, and a few STL County municipalities already had, and now Columbia!

COLUMBIA, Mo. • The city of Columbia has become the sixth Missouri community to outlaw discrimination based on gender identity.

City Council members voted unanimously last week to include gender identity as a protected category in the municipal code's prohibition of discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.

The measure defines gender identity as a person's "identity, appearance, or mannerisms or other gender-related characteristics," regardless of the individual's designation at birth as male or female, the Columbia Missourian reported.

Columbia has prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation since 1992. When the Human Rights Commission recommended similar protections for gender identity in 2002, the council took no action because of opposition from local employers, City Attorney Fred Boeckmann said.

Full article: http://www.stltoday.com/news/state-and-regional/missouri/columbia-mo-becomes-sixth-missouri-community-to-outlaw-gender-discrimination/article_545cd8b4-fea3-5122-946f-89adaebb950c.html