Norman could soon have the most comprehensive LGBTQ+ protections of any city in Oklahoma

Council to vote on Civil Rights Ordinance Amendments

On August 27 the Norman City Council will vote on historic amendments to the Norman Civil Rights Ordinance.

The amendments clarify the role of the Human Rights Commission and streamline the complaint and resolution process. Further, the amendments add specifically enumerated protections for (1 sexual orientation (2 gender identity/gender expression and (3 marital status, including marriage to a person of the same sex.  These protections extend to acts of discrimination in the workplace, housing and public accommodations.

“If passed, Norman will have the most comprehensive LGBTQ protections of any city in Oklahoma,” says PFLAG Norman. “It will be a historic event and represents the achievement of a goal sought by the local LGBTQ community, including the local advocacy group Norman United.”

The group went on to say, “The passage of the new comprehensive amendments will allow the City’s current Resolution (interpreting ‘sex’ discrimination as including sexual orientation, gender identity and expression) to be phased out and replaced by the new Amendments. The current Resolution was adopted in December 2015.

The local PFLAG group went on to say that these amendments fulfill the intent expressed when the Resolution was adopted to begin the process of overhauling and streamlining the existing ordinance to include these specific protections. The Norman Human Rights Commission unanimously recommends approval of the proposed ordinance amendments.

"Upon passage, Norman’s comprehensive anti-discrimination ordinance will become a model for other cities in Oklahoma."

The Council will vote on Aug. 27. The City of Norman City Council meetings begin at 6:30 PM at the Municipal Building, 201 W. Gray St. All are welcome to attend.

The Gayly. 8/19/2019 @ 2:59 p.m. CST.