Tulsa City Council Passes Ordinance To Expand Hate Crime Definition

The Tulsa City Council unanimously passed an ordinance defining what the city considers as a hate crime.

A spokesperson from the Dennis R Neill Equality Center said they've been fighting for these protections at the state level for nearly a decade, and they said it's a big deal to put this on the books here in Tulsa.

News On 6 told you Wednesday about the list of proposed hate crimes, which would include sexual orientation and gender identity.

Related Story: Tulsa City Council Unanimously Votes To Expand Hate Crime Definition

The City Council had its second reading of the amendment before approving it during Wednesday's meeting.

Violating the ordinance would result in a misdemeanor for first-time violators.

The equality center said this gives people in the LGBTQ community a way to seek justice if they're targeted, and they claim there wasn't a path for justice before.

The changes will now go to the mayor for his approval.