The city of Newark has become the latest in central Ohio to pass laws aimed at protecting the LGBT community.
On Tuesday, council members unanimously passed an anti-discrimination law at the work place and for fair housing.
City leaders in Newark tell 10TV the passage of Ordinance 16-18 is a big step for equality in Newark, but officials also hope to get the attention of state lawmakers.
Openly gay City Councilman Jeremy Blake introduced the ordinance that will prohibit discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation. Councilman Blake added an amendment to the ordinance before Tuesday’s vote, to include gender identity and expression. The law will amend the equal employment, fair housing and ethnic intimidation pieces of Newark city laws.
In small town Ohio, Newark city council voted to pass something big.
"I'm still stunned to be honest, I didn't think that this would pass. I really didn't,” Brian Hughes said.
An LGBT anti-discrimination ordinance did not go unopposed Tuesday night inside city council chambers.
"The ordinance puts pressure on Newark's city's division of personnel to hire the LGBT applicant to avoid charges of discrimination,” one man who testified.
"If fuller and broader employment is provided to homosexuals, bisexuals and transgenders, then heterosexuals lose,” another man said at the podium.
But now in Newark, leaders say LGBT community members will be protected by law.
"I don't consider myself to need special classifications, but there are discriminatory practices against LGBT community members,” Councilman Jeremy Blake said.
"A town this size [to be] be able to pass something so monumental, hopefully it will lay ground for the rest of the nation to follow suit,” Kraig Councell said.
Councell and his partner sat inside a packed council chambers as their city leaders voted in favor of the law.
"This is our cause, to provide protections for the LGBT community. I am so hopeful that Newark will be able to join the chorus of cities across the state that have adopted similar legislation,” Councilman Blake said.
Blake says Newark made progress Tuesday, but he hopes state lawmakers will see what the city has done and consider statewide LGBT protection.
The ordinance will go into effect 30 days after it is signed. Newark’s mayor is expected to sign the law this week.