In late May at a town hall sponsored by PROMO and TransHaven, Alderman Shane Cohn announced Board Bill 67, inserting gender identity into the list of protected categories which already includes sexual orientation. The bill gained many co-sponsors and moved swiftly through committee and passed with unanimous support of the Alderman.

“Extending basic protections has been long overdue,” stated Cohn. “In order to remain competitive in today’s marketplace and respect every member of the Saint Louis community, I am proud to have sponsored this bill.”

The Bill will go into effect immediately upon signature by Mayor Slay, which is anticipated by early next week. Enforcement will be the requirement of the Civil Rights Enforcement Agency (CREA) who can be reached at 314.622.3301.

PROMO Executive Director A.J. Bockelman adds, “This is a great step forward not just for Saint Louis, but for all of Missouri. As we increase the number of people covered by basic protections, we will reach a tipping point where the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act, extending these same protections to all LGBT Missourians, becomes the natural next step.”

PROMO urges everyone who finds themselves the victim of discrimination to also file a claim with the Attorney General’s office. You can find the form to file that complaint on our website at www.PROMOonline.org.

PROMO is Missouri’s statewide advocacy organization promoting equal treatment under the law for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. www.PROMOonline.org

TransHaven is an advocacy organization dedicated to the Transgender community of Missouri. www.TransHaven.org