City passes ordinance to ban discrimination

LINDEN, Mich. (AP) -- Another Michigan community has approved an ordinance that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The Flint Journal reports City Council in Linden voted last week to approve the ordinance covering employment, housing, public services and other areas. Mayor David Lossing says the ordinance in the Flint-area community wasn't in response to any particular concern or complaint. Lossing says he hopes to see a state law passed that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Linden's ordinance was formed by looking at other communities' ordinances and finding the best fit. A violation of the ordinance is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500 or 90 days in the county jail. It's scheduled to take effect later this year. Published: Mon, Sep 16, 2013