The Ann Arbor City Council went on record Monday night urging the Michigan Legislature to amend the state's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to ban discrimination based on both sexual orientation and gender identity.

A resolution unanimously approved by the council notes 33 cities in Michigan have passed local civil rights ordinances banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, including Ann Arbor more than three decades go.

The city is now considering additional protections under city ordinance that are not currently supported by state or federal law.

Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976 prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, public services and educational facilities based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status and marital status — but not sexual orientation or gender identity.

"As a result, it remains legal to fire someone solely for being gay or transgender, to deny someone housing based solely on their sexual orientation, and to refuse to serve someone based only on their gender identity," the council resolution states, voicing support for a proposal from state Sen. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, to add protections for sexual orientation and gender identity to state law.

Gay rights activist Jim Toy and Sandi Smith of the Jim Toy Community Center appeared alongside Mayor John Hieftje Monday night as the mayor read a proclamation in honor of National Bullying Prevention Month. They also voiced support for actions the council took regarding changes to anti-discrimination laws.

State Reps. Jeff Irwin and Adam Zemke, both Democrats from Ann Arbor, are co-sponsoring the companion bill in the state House.

Copies of the council's resolution are being sent to Gov. Rick Snyder and leaders in both the state House and Senate.

"Eighteen states and the District of Columbia have already adopted legislation prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity," the council resolution states. "All hardworking people in our state, including those who are gay and transgender, should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. No one should have to live in fear that they could be legally fired for reasons that have nothing to do with their job performance."

Council members noted Michigan's Department of Civil Rights has concluded that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Michigan "exists and is significant" and "has direct negative economic effects on Michigan."

The council is asking state lawmakers to resist attempts to add provisions to state law that would allow employers and businesses to use religion to discriminate against Michigan residents based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The council also voted unanimously Monday night to give initial approval to changes to the city's own non-discrimination ordinance.

The proposed revision reflects changes required by state law related to affirmative action, changes necessitated by city reorganization, and changes that the city's Human Rights Commission included to update the ordinance, as well as general clarifications.

The ordinance changes will come back to council for second reading and final approval on Oct. 20. There will be a public hearing at that meeting.

According to the city attorney's office, the revised ordinance would align more closely with prevailing state and federal non-discrimination legislation and guidelines, modify the requirements placed on public contractors in order to comply with current state law, and revise the local complaint and enforcement process.

The ordinance changes also add new protections against discrimination on the basis of gender expression, veteran status, victims of domestic violence or stalking, political beliefs, genetic information, arrest record, and familial status.

Council Member Sumi Kailasapathy, D-1st Ward, said credit for the changes goes to the city's Human Rights Commission, which has worked hard on the issue.

Kailasapathy recalled some of the history behind the city's non-discrimination ordinance, tracing it back to 1972. She said it was the first of its kind in the state to add sexual orientation to the list of protections in 1978, and a few years later became one of the first in the country to protect gender identity.

"Clearly, Ann Arbor's non-discrimination ordinance was a leader in the 1970s and the '80s, but we have been lagging behind because the non-discrimination ordinance has not been updated lately," she said, going on to explain some of the changes, noting the term "harassment" is being defined for the first time.

"So the proposed ordinance would not only protect against harassment on the basis of sex, but also other protected categories," she said.

Council Member Jack Eaton, D-4th Ward, said he was glad to see the city adding local protections beyond what are afforded under state and federal law.

Ryan Stanton covers the city beat for The Ann Arbor News. Reach him at ryanstanton@mlive.com or 734-623-2529 or follow him on Twitter.