KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri, recently became the first city in Missouri to create an LGBTQ+ commission.
City Council voted, 11-2, last week to approve the commission, which was the result of collaboration between more than 60 LGBTQ+ organizations, Councilman Eric Bunch, Councilwoman Andrea Bough and community activist Justice Horn.
Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas will appoint seven members to the committee, while six others will be representative of the council districts.
Bough, who represents the 6th district at large, said during a press conference Monday that her role in the approval of the commission has been as an ally and supporter. Going forward, the commission will ensure that members of the LGBTQ+ community have “a seat at the table” to shape legislation, according to Bough.
Horn said he approached Bunch’s office in early November about the city creating such a commission and participated in several meetings about governing structure and to hear the needs of the city’s LGBTQ+ groups.
The commission, according to Horn, is intended to uplift, serve and unite the community.
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“We are committing ourselves to the LGBTQ+ community from here on out,” Horn said.
As government officials and leaders, City Manager Brian Platt said the city has a “responsibility and an obligation” to support all communities – “especially those communities that have historically been suppressed and underserved for many many years.”
The press conference announcing the commission was held at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
