The Normal Town Council on Monday approved new language in its human relations code, adding gender identity as a protected class and expanding the definitions of sexual orientation and race.
The code creates a complaint process for addressing discrimination, particularly on the basis of protected characteristics. The town says it “prohibits unlawful discrimination in employment, public accommodations, financing, and housing.”
Previously, the code did not refer to gender identity. Monday’s ordinance adds gender identity to the code under the following definition: “the actual or perceived appearance, expression, identity, or behavior of gender(s), whether or not that appearance, expression, identity, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person’s designated sex at birth.”
The ordinance also changes the definition of sexual orientation that already was a protected class under the code. Previously, the definition was “the actual or perceived state of heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality.”
Now, the definition is “an individual’s actual or perceived romantic, physical, or sexual attraction to other persons, or lack thereof, on the basis of gender. A continuum of sexual orientation exists and includes, but is not limited to, heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, asexuality, and pansexuality.”
Additionally, the definition of race, also already a protected class in the code, has been expanded to include “traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists.”
The town says this definition “mirrors” the one in the Illinois Human Rights Act.
Representatives from the Prairie Pride Coalition, the local ACLU steering committee, and PFLAG all spoke during public comment in favor of the amended language.
Dave Bentlin of the Prairie Pride Coalition argued the measure is particularly important now considering that “equality for the trans and non-binary community has been threatened… particularly in the area of gender-affirming health care.”
Karla Bailey-Smith of the ACLU steering committee also referenced this issue, noting that “over 100 bills” have been introduced in state legislatures seeking to limit such care.
Bentlin described the new language as “modernized definitions” important to the local community.
“Many of us have established our lives here in Bloomington-Normal, and we want to feel as if we enjoy the same rights and protections as other minority communities,” he said. “The changes you vote on tonight will help make the town a more welcoming and equitable environment for all.”
The ordinance passed without discussion and with no opposition from council members.
Parking agreement
Also as part of the consent agenda, the council approved a new parking license agreement involving the town, Normal Public Library, and Rutherford Suites.
Rutherford Suites owns the parking lot behind the library and has been leasing it to the town for years at a discounted rate in exchange for the building’s residents being given parking in the College Avenue parking deck in Uptown.
City Manager Pam Reece reported that when the lease came up for renewal last year, Rutherford Suites extended it for only one year at a 20% increase, differing from its previous pattern of five-year leases with the town.
Now, Rutherford Suites is offering another five-year lease, but this time at a 4% increase each year.
Council member Kathleen Lorenz, who pulled the item for discussion, expressed concern for what “continues to be a challenging situation” regarding parking at the library, though she ultimately voted in favor of the lease agreement and asserted the importance of making sure parking is available.
“Staff is not concerned with this; we still think it’s a very good deal,” Reece reassured the council, further describing the lease as “something more typical” than the discount the town had previously enjoyed.
