Group pushes transgender protection in Cleveland

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland’s city council is considering whether to make it a crime to discriminate against transgender people.

A vote is expected this month on whether to cover gender identity and gender expression under the anti-discrimination ordinance already in place in the city.

More than 2,500 postcards supporting an expanded law were presented to the city council at Monday night’s meeting by members of Ask Cleveland, an advocacy group for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people.

Explaining why the legislation is needed, Ask Cleveland spokesman David Caldwell says people who are transgender can now legally be fired from a job, thrown out of housing or denied service in a restaurant.