MISSOURI: St. Louis County Approves LGBT Anti-Discrimination Ordinance

Another win in our best month ever:

In one of the longest and most emotional meetings in the St. Louis County Council’s history, an ordinance was narrowly passed Tuesday night that adds gender identity and sexual orientation to the county’s anti-discrimination regulations and hate crimes law. An overflow crowd of more than 250 people spilled out of the council chambers in Clayton; 92 of them signed up to address the council, and most took advantage of that opportunity in a public comments segment that lasted more than two hours. And as could be expected on an issue that involved religion and civil rights, most of them spoke fervently. The ordinance adds protections for people in employment, housing and public accommodations in unincorporated areas, regardless of their sexual orientation. It also expands protections on the basis of gender and disability.

And now we wait on Friday’s SCOTUS action.