St Louis Adds Gender Protections

St. Louis now joins Kansas City and University City amongst the increasingly long list of cities offering basic protections for trans people in housing, public accommodations and employment.

You'll recall I posted the news about the introduction by Alderman Shane Cohn on May 21 of Board Bill 67, which would insert gender identity into the list of protected categories which already includes sexual orientation.

Board Bill 67 gained many co-sponsors after its May introduction and moved swiftly through committee and passed with unanimous support of the Alderman.

"Extending basic protections has been long overdue," stated Alderman Cohn. "In order to remain competitive in today's marketplace and respect every member of the Saint Louis community, I am proud to have sponsored this bill."

The Bill will go into effect immediately upon signature by Mayor Slay, which is anticipated by early next week. Enforcement will be the requirement of the Civil Rights Enforcement Agency (CREA) who can be reached at (314)622-3301.

PROMO Executive Director A.J. Bockelman adds, "This is a great step forward not just for Saint Louis, but for all of Missouri. As we increase the number of people covered by basic protections, we will reach a tipping point where the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act, extending these same protections to all LGBT Missourians, becomes the natural next step."

Thanks for having our back Alderman Cohn. If you live in the St. Louis area, please take a moment to send a thank you note to cohns@stlouiscity.com