Council committee advances LGBT resolution

CITY-HALLKansas City now scores among the top 25 cities  in terms of inclusivity of LGBT people, but progress can still be made.

A resolution approved Wednesday by the City Council finance committee directs the city manager to report  on the feasibility of enacting improvements.

The Human Rights Campaign examines laws, policies and services of cities and rates them on inclusivity of LGBT people.

Kansas City scored 85 points on that in 2012 and 100 in 2013.

But Councilman Scott Taylor noted that the rating also includes where some cities fall short of others. Among those listed for Kansas City are equivalent family leave, transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits and an enforcement mechanism in the Human Rights Commission.

The city manager would also document and report back within 90 days on what is being accomplished in other areas: city services to LGBT youth, homeless, elderly and people living with HIV/AIDS; and contracting practices that promote equality.

The committee voted unanimously to advance the resolution that goes to the full council for approval.

Councilwoman Jan Marcason, committee chair, said, “If we’re going to be at a creative crossroads, we have to embrace everyone.”

Taylor said that city action to improve conditions for its  LGBT workers sends a message to private businesses.

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