Lansing City Council voted 7-0 this week to officially declare the city an “LGBTQ+ Welcoming City,” a move supporters call a long overdue step toward inclusion and safety.
The resolution directs the city to “develop pro-LGBTQ+ ordinances and policies,” appoint LGBTQ+ members to city boards or create a dedicated advisory board, and issue an executive order protecting access to gender-affirming care, including “prohibiting use of city resources to block, investigate, prosecute, or detain any person seeking or providing gender-affirming treatment.”
It also makes clear that “any threats, harassment, discrimination, or acts of intimidation by city employees or by organizations receiving city funds will not be tolerated,” and urges city leaders to ensure business assistance programs are inclusive of LGBTQ+-affirming businesses.
Councilmember Brian T. Jackson, who chairs the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, said the resolution was shaped by community input from the newly formed Lansing Advocates for Trans Safety. The group has also called for the creation of an LGBTQ+ advisory board and funding to help queer-owned businesses with security improvements.
After passage, Jackson thanked residents for their persistence. “It wasn’t brought by Council,” he said. “It was brought by you. We’re not courageous for passing it, you’re courageous for showing up again and again.”
Mayor Andy Schor praised the move, noting Lansing’s 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, but added the city must “stay vigilant.”
Community advocate Aria Morey said the vote is more than symbolic. “Words build protections when other systems fail. Words are the beginning, and what’s left when all else fails.”
Another advocate, Lyra Opalikhin, said the resolution signals the city’s priorities going forward. “This shows Lansing will protect and uplift its LGBTQ+ residents not because it’s convenient, but because it’s necessary.”
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