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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Small MO City Passes Historic LGBT Legislation

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Friday, July 29, 2011   

OLIVETTE, Mo. - This week, the Olivette City Council passed two ordinances that provide protections for LGBT citizens. One includes sexual orientation and gender identity for the city's nondiscrimination ordinance; the other establishes a domestic partner registry.

Larger cities in Missouri — such as St. Louis, Kansas City, and Columbia — have passed similar ordinances, but Olivette is the first to pass all components simultaneously. Stephanie Perkins, deputy director for the statewide LGBT advocacy group Promo, says this is an historic move for Missouri.

"By passing everything all at once, it really is taking a significant stand, and saying that they do respect everybody who lives there, and they're going to show them by passing protections for them."

In some parts of the state, notes Perkins, a person can still be fired, denied housing or public accommodations based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Only a handful of other cities across the country have passed both measures at once, she adds.

According to Olivette Councilman Leif Hauser, city leaders wanted to offer protection to the growing diversity of the family composition of their community.

"We just thought that it was a move that would immediately provide, not only validation of those relationships and the people who are in those relationships, but also that it would extend them benefits."

Olivette's nondiscrimination ordinance goes into effect immediately. The domestic partner registry will be available for couples starting Sept. 1. Numerous attempts to pass a similar, statewide law for LGBT Missourians have failed.



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