This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Aug. 28, 2012 - Ferguson has become the sixth city in St. Louis County and the 9th in the state of Missouri to expand nondiscrimination protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents.
The Ferguson City Council, which represents the community’s 21,000 citizens, voted Monday night to approve such an ordinance. Ferguson becomes the first north county community to do so.
“This ordinance is essential in helping to ensure that all residents are protected from any discrimination; keeping Ferguson a community of choice,” said Councilman Dwayne T. James. “Our residents need to know that we are welcoming to all and appreciate the diversity that comes with every resident.”
“It is great that Ferguson can continue to add these protections but individual cities is not enough,” James continued. “We need to continue the work for state protections.”
The nondiscrimination provisions will protect people from being fired from their job, or denied access to housing and public accommodations, supporters say.
James and fellow Councilman Tim Larson sponsored the introduction of the ordinance. Other cities who previously approved such protections include the city of St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, University City, Olivette, Clayton, Richmond Heights, and Creve Coeur, as well as Jackson County, which surrounds Kansas City.
“This evening’s vote is another indication that municipalities in all parts of St. Louis County are working to remedy the exclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens from their nondiscrimination protections,” said A.J. Bockelman, Executive Director of PROMO – Missouri’s statewide organization advocating for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.
“Local communities are realizing that these protections not only make practical sense but good business sense for any community who is trying to send the message that they are welcoming,” Bockelman said. “Ferguson is the first city in North County St. Louis that has remedied our exclusion, and we encourage more to do the same.”
