Tosa officials approve city's first antidiscrimination ordinance, add 'friendly amendment'
Wauwatosa’s Common Council approved the city’s first antidiscrimination ordinance Tuesday night, cementing what one alder has described as a "long overdue" code of inclusivity into city law.
“Everyone knows how much this ordinance means to me,” Ald. Sean Lowe told the council Tuesday night. Lowe introduced the ordinance to the Government Affairs Committee’s unanimous approval on Sept. 12 before Tuesday's 15-0 vote passed the code. Ald. Joel Tilleson of District 5 was not present to vote.
The ordinance prohibits discrimination in employment or in public places based on one’s age, disability, race, sexuality, gender, appearance or criminal record.
Before the final council vote Tuesday, Lowe asked to make a “friendly amendment” to include religion and age in the ordinance’s wording.
“For those of you who have children and grandchildren, they can look upon this day and see the fine work that you did on the Common Council to make sure Wauwatosa continues to be inclusive for all,” Lowe said.
The anti-discrimination ordinance was inspired by similar equal rights laws in Milwaukee. Although consistent with Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, both Wauwatosa’s and Milwaukee’s ordinances mention gender identity while state law does not.
"For any family that has someone who is disabled or a person of color or in the LGBTQ+ community and wants to move to Wauwatosa, (the Tosa ordinance) sends a message to them that we're welcoming," Lowe told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in September.
Residents can find instructions on how to file complaint of discrimination on the city of Wauwatosa website at www.wauwatosa.net/government/filing-complaints-of-discrimination.
Contact Bridget Fogarty at bfogarty@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wauwatosa passes the city's first ordinance to prohibit discrimination
