The vote was unanimous.

Monday, Oct. 26, the Bloomsburg Town Council voted to pass an anti-discrimination ordinance. Residents of Bloomsburg sent a total of 55 letters to the council, each calling for change.

Two public comments were made during the council meeting.

Former mayor Dan Knorr represented Bloomsburg University. Knorr emphasized the importance of the ordinance, allowing the BU community to reach its full potential. Knorr also stated that BU’s President, Bashar Hanna, gives his full support.

In addition, Ammon Young spoke on behalf of a local nonprofit organization known as the Coalition of Social Equity. Young stated that both he and the organization give their full support towards the town’s education and prevention of discrimination.

The ordinance itself protects actual or perceived race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, veteran status, mental or physical disability, and genetic information from discrimination.

According to the current mayor, Bill Kreisher, the ordinance was long overdue.

Bloomsburg is now the 60th local municipality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to pass an anti-discrimination ordinance. The full draft of the proposed ordinance can be found on the town’s website.