Gender identity ordinance stirs debate at Common Council

Indiana Daily Student – Roy Maurer

The Sabbagh-Sturbaum sponsored ordinance to amend the Bloomington Municipal Code so that it recognizes gender identity as a protected class met with ardent arguments both in favor and against at Wednesday’s Common Council meeting.

The proposed ordinance adds gender identity to the list of protected classes which currently include race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation and disability.

Next week’s vote on the passage of the ordinance will be the culmination of more than two years of labor from members of the transgender community, the Bloomington Human Rights Commission and the City Council.