Councilwoman Will Propose Anti-LGBT Discrimination Ordinance

An effort to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of classes protected by anti-discrimination statutes in municipalities in St. Louis County appears to be heading for

Ward 1 Councilwoman Beth Kistner told Counci colleagues earlier this week she intends to introduce language at a future council meeting.

An activist group working in support of the reform identified several areas in Creve Coeur's municipal ordinances which currently do not protect gays, lesbians, bisexuals or transgenders:

 

SECTION 14.2:     PROHIBITIONS 

(a)     Activities prohibited.

     (1)     No person employed by the City or seeking employment from the City shall be appointed, promoted, demoted, removed or in any way favored or discriminated against because of his or her age, race, color, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, religion, sex or disabled status except where specific age, sex or physical requirements constitutes a bona fide occupational qualification.

SECTION 230.030:     UNLAWFUL HOUSING PRACTICES

A.     It shall be an unlawful housing practice:

     1.     To refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, to deny or otherwise make unavailable a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability or familial status.

     2.     To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability or familial status.

     3.     To make, print or publish or cause to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability or familial status, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.

     4.     To represent to any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability or familial status that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale or rental when such dwelling is in fact so available.

     5.     To induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons of a particular race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability or familial status.

Councilwoman Kistner did not identify specific instances in Creve Coeur which may have inspired the move, but called it "good business sense" and that it "makes good social sense."

Is LGBT discrimination an issue in Creve Coeur? Tell us what you think?