OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio--After sometimes emotional testimony by community members, Olmsted Falls has passed anti-discrimination legislation protecting LGBT people. The bill was introduced by Mayor Ann Marie Donegan, and was unanimously approved by city council at their regular Feb. 14 meeting.

The ordinance expands existing protections in Olmsted Falls law in the areas of city employment, fair housing, and ethnic intimidation. Such protections now forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

Neither Ohio nor U.S. federal law offers such protections to LGBT people. Prior to Feb. 14, Olmsted Falls' nondiscrimination law had been in line with state and federal standards, which ban discrimination based on race, national origin, religion, disability, pregnancy, age, military status, and gender.

The Feb. 14 meeting was heavily attended by supporters of the anti-discrimination ordinance. Five Olmsted Falls residents and one Olmsted Township resident spoke in favor of the legislation. Most identified themselves as gay, or as a family member of an LGBT person.

Among the speakers was Paul Heney, who said he had lived for 18 years in Olmsted Falls with his partner and two sons. Though Heney said he does not necessarily look to the government for validation, he said it was important for LGBT people to be recognized as part of their communities.

"I'm gay, but I'm also a father, I'm a partner, a brother, a taxpayer, and a parishioner," Heney said. "[For LGBT people,] hearing positive messages from people in their lives, especially from elected officials, is so important."

Alana Jochum, executive director of the LGBT rights organization Equality Ohio, worked with Donegan in shaping the legislation. Jochum said that by passing 05-2017, Olmsted Falls would become the 17th Ohio city to extend such protections to LGBT residents.

Usually, a piece of legislation is read at three council meetings before the body's members vote on it. However, at their Feb. 14 meeting, a majority of councilmembers voted to waive the last two readings and pass the legislation the same night of its introduction.

However, a related piece of legislation will be given three readings. Ordinance No. 06-2017 will grant additional protections to LGBT people in the realms of private employment and public accommodations. Clauses in the bill pertaining to private employment would make it unlawful for a business to refuse to hire or retain an employee based on their orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The private accommodations sections would make it illegal to refuse to serve LGBT people at businesses such as restaurants or barbershops.

Councilmen Paul Stibich and Kyle Miller argued that the second measure should be given three readings, as its scope is more expansive than the first ordinance.