Council declares Lansing an ‘LGBTQ+ welcoming city’

Three weeks after threats made against transgender patrons at the Avenue Cafe galvanized local pro-trans activists, the Lansing City Council has officially declared Lansing an “LGBTQ+ welcoming city.”

The resolution passed Monday, 7-0, with 3rd Ward Councilmember Adam Hussain absent.

The Council resolved to “develop pro-LGBTQ+ ordinances and policies” and encourage the city to do the same, to “appoint LGBTQ+ community members to City boards and commissions or establish an LGBTQ+ advisory board,” and to 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.”

The resolution also states that “any threats, harassment, discrimination, or acts of intimidation by City employees or by organizations receiving City funds will not be tolerated, and appropriate disciplinary or corrective action will be taken,” and asks the city to ensure business assistance programs are “inclusive of and accessible to LBGTQ+-affirming businesses.”

That part about “discrimination” was added after conversations between 4th Ward Councilmember Brian T. Jackson, who chairs the Council’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and drafted the resolution, and the recently formed Lansing Advocates for Trans Safety, he said.

“They wanted to make sure that discrimination is included as something that’s unacceptable by any city employees or city agencies receiving funds,” Jackson said.

The resolution received only one amendment, proposed by At-Large Member Peter Spadafore to declare the Council will develop pro-LGBTQ+ policies. It originally just called on the city administration to do so.

After passage, Jackson thanked trans speakers for their courage in speaking before Council. Six spoke for the resolution at Monday’s meeting, but 30 speakers appeared last week for an open forum attended by around 75.

“It wasn’t brought by Council or any Councilperson or group,” Jackson said. “It was brought by you all. We’re not courageous for bringing it up, you are all courageous for organizing and coming here more than once, more than twice, and demanding things.”

Mayor Andy Schor commended the Council and transgender advocates.

“I appreciate the comments from the trans community and LGBTQ+ community,” he said. He added he appreciated the resolution and, though Lansing has a 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, “we will stay vigilant.”

The resolution was the first of three demands made by the Lansing Advocates for Trans Safety. It asks the city to implement the other two: Form an LBGTQ+ advisory board and direct business assistance funding to local queer-owned businesses.

The Council’s resolution is not itself policy, but speakers on Monday applauded it as a good first step.

“Think of all the trans children who will grow up in the city knowing there’s a place for them to be people,” Aria Morey said. “For the LGBTQ+ newcomers who will choose the city to set up their lives, and for the queer residents at large, who will not only be more protected, but flourish.”

“It is true that resolutions in their most simple forms are just words, but words are what build protections when other systems fail. Words are what govern, motivate, declare, inspire and create actions. Words are the beginning, and they’re what’s left when all else fails.”

Lyra Opalikhin referenced Council President Ryan Kost’s comments at the Committee of the Whole meeting, when he said he and Schor “have been on top of these issues as soon as they’ve happened.”

“I recognize and appreciate his work in working to address these concerns when they arise,” Opalikhin said, but added she appreciates the resolution’s focus on preventative and proactive measures to enrich LGBTQ+ residents and curb anti-LGBTQ+ incidents.

“This resolution is a signal that the city will dedicate itself to protecting and uplifting its LGBTQ+ residents not merely because it’s convenient, but because it’s necessary.”

— LEO V. KAPLAN