Wichita City Council passed the proposed ordinance banning discrimination by a vote of 4-3 on Tuesday. The ordinance will be placed on first reading and still needs final approval.
Mayor Brandon Whipple, Vice Mayor Brandon Johnson, and council members Jared Cerullo and Cindy Claycomb voted in favor. Council members Jeff Blubaugh, Becky Tuttle, and Bryan Frye voted against it.
KSN News reports dozens of people lined up to speak out against and for the ordinance. Public comment ended at 1:45 p.m. before the discussion returned to the council. More than 40 people took the podium to speak during the first hours of the heated debate.
The ordinance prohibits discrimination against persons because of their age, color, disability, familial status, gender identity, genetic information, national origin or ancestry, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other factor protected by law in the areas of: Employment, Housing, Public Accommodations.
The ordinance would make the City of Wichita an enforcing agency with the authority to investigate complaints of discrimination alleged to have occurred within the city limits and to issue civil penalties of up to $2,000 for violations if complaints could otherwise be resolved. If someone feels discriminated against, they have 60 days to file a complaint with the City Clerk.
