KALAMAZOO TOWNSHIP, MI --

trustees adopted an ordinance Monday that

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Trustees adopted the ordinance in a 6-0 vote, which drew applause from the approximately 30 people in the audience. Trustee Pamela Brown Goodacre was absent.

The proposed ordinance bans discrimination based on several factors, including race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, height, weight, marital status, familial status, citizenship, physical or mental ability, gender identity, sexual orientation or genetic information of another person.

Three people spoke in favor of the ordinance, and no one spoke in opposition to it. Zachary Bauer, executive director of the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center, said the township is joining 23 other communities to offer these protections.

"You are acting as leaders becau

se the state has chosen not to act as leaders," Bauer said, referring to the township including prohibition of discriminating against a person based on gender identity, sexual orientation or genetic information. "That is a heavy weight to carry and I commend you for that."

Daniel Morse, a Pavilion Township resident and a former Kalamazoo Township resident, said the ordinance "tells the world we've come of age." Morse said he decided to live in Kalamazoo County when he moved back to Michigan from California because gay people in the county have the best access to services, including medical services and employment. But he said gay people still lose jobs and lose opportunities.

"Why don't we send a message to the rest of the state: we're progressive and we treat everyone here equally," Morse said. "That's why I live in Kalamazoo County."

The ordinance bans individuals from discrimination in leasing or selling a residence and from denying full access in public accommodations. It also bans employers and labor organizations from discrimination in termination and other matters in the township. It prevents individuals from adopting policies or posting advertisements that indicate discrimination in providing housing, employment or public accommodations.

Trustee Mark Miller, who researched other municipalities' non-discrimination ordinances and helped township attorney Kenneth Sparks draft the ordinance, said the township owes a debt "in what we have to the work of other elected officials in other communities, specifically the city of Kalamazoo, which most of the language in our proposed ordinance is derived from."

Miller said he hoped the township's ordinance could serve as a model for other communities.

Anyone claiming discrimination under the ordinance can submit a written complaint to the township supervisor, who will investigate. Anyone violating the ordinance would be subject to a civil fine, from $75 to $500, depending on how many times the individual, agency or business has been fined.

Township Supervisor Ron Reid said the penalties for violations of this ordinance are more symbolic than significant.

"This is momentous for us but this thing should have been done years and years ago," Reid said. "It's long overdue."

Township trustees in May had asked Sparks to draft a non-discrimination ordinance, but the board had been approached about an ordinance in 2011. Oshtemo Township trustees are considering a similar ordinance. In 2009, Kalamazoo city voters adopted an ordinance that extends anti-discrimination protections to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals.

Emily Monacelli is a local government reporter for the Kalamazoo Gazette. Contact her at emonacel@mlive.com. Follow her on Twitter.