Lawrence became the only city in Kansas to fully protect against gender identity discrimination in its human relations code after the city commission voted 4-1 to pass the measure. Manhattan, passed a similar amendment in February, but it was repealed in May.

Citizens will now have protection against discrimination based on their gender or on how other people perceive their gender. The city will now define gender identity as “gender-related identity, appearance, behavior, and other characteristics of an individual, as perceived by the individual or another, and without regard to the individual’s actual or assigned sex at birth.”

The definition is very similar to ones used by the cities of Kansas City, Mo., and Chicago. The commissioners presented concerns over whether or not the entire law will stand up in the court system if it is challenged.

Commissioner Bob Schumm said in his remarks that he could not allow any discrimination to continue if he had the power to stop it. Commissioners Hugh Carter, Mike Dever and Mayor Aron Cromwell shared his sentiment.

Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies professor Milton Wendland said the legislation will help remedy discrimination that may be happening already but more importantly will “help alleviate the sort of possiblity that those things could happen for a lot of people and that includes people who don’t identify as trans.”

More than 150 people filled the city hall Tuesday evening.

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Lawrence City Commission passes gender identity ordinance

Tuesday Sept. 27, the Lawrence City Commission voted 4-1 that gender identity should be defined as a protected class in the city's Human Relations code.

Supporters of the ordinance sat throughout the meeting hall wearing rainbow ribbons pinned to their shirts. Citizens opposed were also represented in the meeting and outside of city hall protesting the ordinance.

Citizens brought up concerns about public bathroom use and whether or not private companies would be required to construct additional bathrooms for transgendered individuals. Businesses also expressed concern over transgendered pepole being relatable to their clients in the community.

Mayor Cromwell said in his remarks that many of the issues against the ordinance “fell flat” in his mind.

Students also spoke in support of ordinance. Jeremy Atkinson, a senior from Lawrence has spent his time supporting the ordinance and talking to the commissioners about his position.

“It feels better to know that the community is one that is going to value everyone,” he said. “It is going to make some people’s lives easier and it is not going to hurt anyone.”

A similar ordinance was proposed in 2009 and 2010 to the Lawrence Human Relations Commission but failed to moved to the city commission. Scott Criqui is a member of the human relations commission and voted to support the measure in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

“It's inspiring. I can’t talk without crying,” Criqui said. He has worked with the commissioners to know that they would support the ordinance to pass this year.

Wendland thought the legislation will help Lawrence in a greater way than only protecting individuals, “The city of Lawrence would be saying to potential citizens, students, retirees, and more importantly perhaps businesses, that our community protects its citizens because we want everyone to be productive, and healthy and happy.”

The legislation will take effect immediately. There will be a second reading approved to add that gender idenitity must be consistent.

Mike Dever, Aron Cromwell, Hugh Carter and Bob Schumm voted in favor of the ordinance. Mike Amyx voted against.