Cincinnati has banned discrimination against natural hair.An ordinance proposing that natural hair be added to the city's discrimination policy passed the Cincinnati City Council Wednesday by a vote of 8-1. Councilwoman Amy Murray voted against it. "We already have the law covering it, so otherwise we'd be spending a lot of time hear in council redoing our own laws," said Murray.New York City and California outlawed hair discrimination earlier this year. Cincinnati becomes the second city to outlaw such discrimination.According to the bill, natural hair and hairstyles commonly associated with racewill be protected from discrimination of employment, housing and public accommodations.Initially proposed by Councilman Chris Seelbach, the bill states that no Cincinnatian be marginalized because of their hair or its texture."I've heard over and over again, from mostly black women, the very real discrimination and how they're made to feel inferior," said Seelbach. HR professional Meeka Owens has experienced the fear first hand. "Having a different hairstyle, that's apart of our identity. I think what's important about the ordinance, the proposed legislation that we're talking about is that it allows us to look at these differences and realize that some of this might be based on bias," said Owens.Under the proposed law, the city would investigate complaints of discrimination. If discrimination is determined, a fine of up to $1,000 -- $100 per day -- could be levied until the discriminatory practice is corrected.

Cincinnati has banned discrimination against natural hair.

An ordinance proposing that natural hair be added to the city's discrimination policy passed the Cincinnati City Council Wednesday by a vote of 8-1.


Councilwoman Amy Murray voted against it.

"We already have the law covering it, so otherwise we'd be spending a lot of time hear in council redoing our own laws," said Murray.

New York City and California outlawed hair discrimination earlier this year. Cincinnati becomes the second city to outlaw such discrimination.

According to the bill, natural hair and hairstyles commonly associated with race

will be protected from discrimination of employment, housing and public accommodations.

Initially proposed by Councilman Chris Seelbach, the bill states that no Cincinnatian be marginalized because of their hair or its texture.

"I've heard over and over again, from mostly black women, the very real discrimination and how they're made to feel inferior," said Seelbach.

HR professional Meeka Owens has experienced the fear first hand.

"Having a different hairstyle, that's apart of our identity. I think what's important about the ordinance, the proposed legislation that we're talking about is that it allows us to look at these differences and realize that some of this might be based on bias," said Owens.

Under the proposed law, the city would investigate complaints of discrimination. If discrimination is determined, a fine of up to $1,000 -- $100 per day -- could be levied until the discriminatory practice is corrected.