by Randy Picking ~ Salina Post

SALINA – The Salina City Commission Monday evening, by a 3-2 vote, approved the addition of sexual orientation and gender identity to Chapter 13 of the Salina Code as a protected class concerning discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation effective Monday June 4th.

Those who oppose the addition of sexual orientation and gender identity still have the opportunity to gather enough signatures of registered voters who are residents in Salina to have the question placed on the ballot for the November 6th general election to repeal the addition to the city ordinance.

Companies that do less than $20,000 a year in business with the city or have fewer than four employees will be exempt.

The vote came after several months of discussion and controversy over the proposal.