Monday night, the City of Overland Park City Council passed an ordinance extending protection against discrimination for people who live, work, and play in Overland Park.
HRC-3266 prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation on the basis of sexual identity or gender orientation.
Race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, military status, genetic information, martial status, familial status and other classifications are protected by federal, state or local laws.
Mayor Carl Gerlach urged the City Council to consider the issue after hearing from many people in support of such an ordinance at a September Community Development committee meeting.
In February, the unanimous City Council passed a resolution affirming the full inclusion and acceptance of all people, and calling on Kansas state lawmakers to adopt similar protections.
“Monday night’s action by the Overland Park City Council reaffirms we are an inclusive city. ForwardOP, our ongoing visioning process, proved that our residents and business community want a welcoming and accepting Overland Park,” said Mayor Gerlach. “This does have legal implications, which I feel we’ve thoroughly researched, and we’re hopeful the state or federal government will act to provide these protections. But we can’t wait to act any longer. We’re doing this now because it’s the right thing to do.”
To read Overland Park’s non-discrimination ordinance, HRC-3266, in its entirety, see the City Council agenda.
Overland Park’s non-discrimination ordinance takes effect October 15.
Anyone who feels they have been a victim of such discrimination may file a claim by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at 913-895-6150.