[VIDEO] St. Joseph Commission Approves LGBT Protection Ordinance

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A non-discrimination ordinance to specifically protect the civil rights of the LGBT community in St. Joseph will take effect next Thursday.

The city commission unanimously passed the change on Monday after a few months of discussion.

Mayor Mike Garey praised the move, and Mayor Pro Tem Laura Goos, who worked on the ordinance with Commissioner Jeff Richards, thanked the community for its support.

OutCenter director Mary Jo Schnell helped work on the ordinance with the city once they reached out to her, and told us she was “overjoyed” by the vote.

“To have a standing-room only meeting that results in a standing ovation, it felt like belonging in the most amazing way possible,” said Schnell after the meeting.

The ordinance does not apply to allegations that are legally valid under state or federal law, and lists examples of practices that have been determined valid under current law. The list is not exhaustive and recognizes that the status of state and federal law changes from time to time. Violators are subject to a fine of up to $500 plus the costs of the investigation and prosecution.