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Royal Oak City Commission Passes LGBT and HIV Inclusive Human Rights Ordinance

ROYAL OAK, MI – The suburban Detroit municipality of Royal Oak's City Commission passed an ordinance Monday night providing legal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), and HIV positive people in regards to housing and employment discrimination with a vote of 6-1 in favor of passage. The victory makes Royal Oak the 22nd city in Michigan to pass such protections in absence of the State of Michigan providing discrimination protections for these frequently targeted communities. 

Emily Dievendorf, Director of Policy, Equality Michigan said in a statement;

"Most people are shocked to learn that it is still legal to fire someone in Michigan simply for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. The Royal Oak City Commission showed true leadership by standing up and putting an end to the oppression of LGBT and HIV positive people in their community. 

A study released earlier this year by the Michigan Department of Civil Rights proves that not only is this oppression harming our Michigan families, but it is having a damaging impact on our economic recovery efforts."