Tulsa council delays vote on ordinance to align city human-rights protections after hours of public comment

The Tulsa City Council on Wednesday delayed consideration of an ordinance to make the application of the city’s human-rights protections more consistent across city code, including adding veteran status and gender identity as protected classes, after more than a dozen residents urged passage and several councilors requested more time for drafting and review.

Supporters who filled the council chamber described the measure as a life-or-death protection for LGBTQ+ residents and veterans and urged the council to adopt it immediately. Opponents and some council members said the ordinance still contains unresolved language and wanted time to work with the sponsor and city staff before a final vote.

The ordinance, listed on the agenda as item 7m and described in the packet as “making the application of ordinances protecting individual human rights more consistent across various provisions of Tulsa Revised Ordinances (Title 5 and other sections),” drew sustained public comment. Speakers included attorneys who represent LGBTQ+ clients and local veterans, veterans themselves, and leaders of local equality organizations. Many recalled personal experiences of…