Press Release | Office of the Mayor | Westland Passes Comprehensive Non-Discrimination Ordinance

For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36300 Warren Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 734.422.1230

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Westland Passes Comprehensive Non-Discrimination Ordinance

Westland, MI - The City of Westland is the 43rd city to join Michigan cities, townships and villages that have passed comprehensive non-discrimination ordinances that prohibit discrimination based on, among other things, sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations.

"It was necessary that we just didn't amend our existing ordinance but create a new comprehensive one," said Mayor William R. Wild. "Inclusivity is key to creating a friendly and safe work environment."

The current ordinance would be deleted and replaced and claims of violation of the new ordinance would be filed with the Mayor and investigated by him or his designee. Violations of the ordinance would result in a civil infraction with a fine of up to $500.

The Westland City Council unanimously voted to pass the new ordinance at the Westland City Council meeting on July 18.

These ordinances protect more than 2.1 million Michigan residents, but more than 7.8 million remain unprotected.

Michigan is currently one of 32 states that do not provide nondiscrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. There is no federal law that explicitly prohibits this type of discrimination as Title VI, which was part of the Civil Rights act of 1964 protects individuals from discrimination based on race, color or national origin and Title VII has, in the past, been interpreted to only prohibit discrimination based on gender.

The proposed ordinance now expands the non-discrimination ordinance to prohibit discrimination in housing practices, public accommodation or employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, height, weight, pregnancy, marital status, physical or mental limitation, income, family responsibility, sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status. This broader ordinance is supported by Equality Michigan.

"In the absence of state action to ban anti-LGBTQ discrimination in Michigan, local leadership has been essential to ensuring that our communities are welcoming to everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity," commented Nathan Triplett, Director of Public Policy and Political Action at Equality Michigan. "Equality Michigan commends Mayor Wild and the Westland City Council for their pro-equality leadership. A comprehensive nondiscrimination ordinance sends a powerful, positive message about the values and priorities of Westland. This ordinance will make Westland a more attractive community in which to live, work, raise a family, and start a business."

"Westland, as Michigan's first community to sign the Charter for Compassion, is a welcoming city and we will always welcome people from all walks of life and will not tolerate discrimination based on any factors," commented Mayor Wild. "This new ordinance will protect the rights of all current and future Westland residents and employees and is proof of our commitment towards total equality."

"Thank you Westland Mayor William R. Wild and Westland City Council for adopting changes to the Westland ordinances to add sexual orientation and gender identity to Westland's non discrimination civil rights," commented 58 year Westland resident, Hank Johnson. "Proud of my city leadership tonight."

For more information, please call Aubrey Berman at (734)467-3200

Westland, Michigan is the state's 10th largest municipality, with a population of over 84,000 people who exhibit a great deal of pride in their All-American City. Westland has a thriving business community along with beautiful residential areas. The citizens enjoy a wide array of amenities and a quality of life that is second to none.

In 2014, Westland was rated as one of 24/7 Wall Street's America's Best 50 Cities to Live, offering residents and visitors an ideal blend of single-family affordable homes, apartments and condominiums, great schools, and access to numerous outdoor activities. Public safety is delivered by full-service, professional law enforcement and firefighting personnel. Westland Police Department, whose motto is protect and serve, provides emergency dispatch services to four cities and over 100,000 residents; the Westland Fire Department are licensed paramedics who responded to over 9,000 calls for service last year, about 85% being medical based. They never forget their mission of preserving life and property.

Westland is well-known as the premier destination for shopping and dining in Wayne County with hundreds of shops and restaurants anchored by the Westland Shopping Center, one of the country's original four regional malls.

Infinite opportunities are available in Westland for the recreation aficionado including, more than 40 parks and 1,500 acres of trails, a 9-hole golf course, hockey arena, athletic fields, playscapes, a Farmers and Artisans Market and more. One of Michigan's most environmentally friendly cities, Westland has a progressive curbside recycling program with one of the highest participation rates in the nation and the City is raising the bar for cultural experiences with the placement of public art throughout the City.

The City is served by two public school districts; Wayne-Westland Community Schools serving 12,000 youth was recently named one of the Best School in Michigan by WXYZ-TV and is the proud recipient of 14 Golden Apple and two Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards. Livonia Public Schools, educating nearly 15,000 students, is proud of their MEAP/MME scores that exceed state averages and the District has also earned Golden Apple and Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards.

The City provides competitive incentives for those who are interested in investing in Westland, making it one of the hottest investment markets in the region. Our Fast-Track to Business Team, which consists of key decision makers who work diligently on a development plan will "cut the red tape" and expedite the approval process for new business development.