Normal Town Council amends Human Relations Code, adding gender identity as protected class

Posted on July 2, 2024

NORMAL – In an unanimous vote, the Normal Town Council amended its Human Relations Code in a win for the LGBTQ+ community.

In Normal, gender identity is now a protected class. With this vote, it is now unlawful discrimination to turn away gender-fluid and transgender residents regarding employment, public accommodations, financing, and housing.

Before the vote, several people spoke in support of the amendment including the President of the ACLU Steering Committee of Central Illinois, Carla Bailey Smith.

“Passing the proposed updated language to the Human Relations Code or Human Rights Ordinance will signal to families and individuals currently living here and those seeking a new and safer place to live that the Town of Normal welcomes and supports them,” said Smith.

The last time the Human Relations Code in Normal was amended was 23 years ago when it was changed to bar sexual orientation discrimination in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations.

In addition to gender identity protections, Monday’s vote also amends the definitions for race and sexual orientation.

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