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Columbia’s city council is set to vote tonight on a four-page bill that expresses support for the LGBTQ community and declares the city a safe haven for free speech and expression.
The proposal says that the city of Columbia “recognizes the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion when it comes to being a competitive employer, building a strong local economy and enriching the community to be better than the sum of its parts, as well as recognizing LGBTQ people have long contributed to the rich history and social fabric or Columbia and this country.”
The chair of the Mizzou Democratic Socialists of America addressed Columbia’s city council in November, calling on them to approve a sanctuary city ordinance to protect its LGBTQ citizens.
The proposed new ordinance set to be voted on tonight also says gender-affirming healthcare “has been proven to be evidence-based and medically necessary.” A new state law bans gender-affirming health care treatments. The ordinance directs city staff to decline any enforcement of those laws. 939 the Eagle’s Mike Murphy reports the four-page ordinance is carefully written to not actually conflict with or break any state laws, just to ignore them.
Tonight’s council meeting begins at 7.
