The Norman, Okla., City Council voted 8-1 Tuesday night to expand the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance to include specific protections for LGBT residents. The lone dissenting vote came from Ward 6 representative Bill Scanlon, standing center rear.

Allie Shinn, executive director of Freedom Oklahoma, has announced that the Norman, Okla., City Council voted on Tuesday night, Aug, 27, to approve comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for LGBT residents of the city in employment, housing and public accommodations.

The vote makes Norman the first city in Oklahoma to offer such protections.

“Congratulations are in order for this giant leap forward for our movement,” Shinn said in an email announcing the vote. “This is a momentous occasion for Norman’s LGBTQ population and an incredible model for what is possible in a conservative state like Oklahoma.”

Shinn also extended “huge thanks” to Norman Mayor Breea Clark, the Norman City Council and the city’s Human Rights Commission “for their leadership on non-discrimination, and congratulations to Norman United for this incredible victory, obtained over years of organizing toward this moment.”

Shinn added, “This is a moment to celebrate not just for Norman but for all of Oklahoma and our nationwide movement. Thank you to everyone who made this possible This is a first for Oklahoma, but we know that there are many cities that will follow suit. Norman’s leadership on this issue places them at the forefront of the movement for LGBTQ equality in our state.

“We’re thrilled for their support and eager to work with cities across Oklahoma who are ready to adopt this model for equality,” she said.

As the council prepared to vote on the ordinance, according to The Norman Transcript, Clark noted: ““If you did not know, we are about to make history in the state of Oklahoma for being the most inclusive community in the state. Tonight, we are living our motto of building an inclusive community, but more so we are creating a model for other cities. We are providing you an ordinance and an example of what you can do and what should do.”

The Transcript points out that the changes were made thanks to the work of Norman United and “other LGBTQ+ advocates” over the last several years.

The amendments updating the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance passed on a vote of 8-1, with Ward 6 Councilman Bill Scanlon casting the lone vote against the changes.