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Cincinnati council votes to ban natural hair discrimination

Councilman Chris Seelbach says this vote helps progress "an important path toward leveling the playing field in the community."
Credit: AP
Shana Bonner, left, styles the hair of Pho Gibson at Exquisite U hair salon in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, July 3, 2019. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Wednesday a bill making California the first state to ban workplace and school discrimination against black people for wearing hairstyles such as braids, twists and locks. (AP Photo/Kathleen Ronayne)

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati City Council has voted to make it illegal to discriminate against natural hair and hairstyles associated with race.

The 7-to-1 vote Wednesday made Cincinnati the second city in the country, after New York City, to pass the ordinance.

The vote took place after women turned out during the public comment portion to tell stories of discrimination they've faced.

RELATED: Cincinnati to consider outlawing natural hair discrimination

Councilman Chris Seelbach says this vote helps progress "an important path toward leveling the playing field in the community."

The lone no vote came from Republican Councilwoman Amy Murray who says she believed the protections for natural hair already fall under federal race discrimination law. She argues that passing a city law would be redundant.

At the state level, California and New York ban discrimination against natural hair and Kentucky is considering it.

RELATED: New York City aims to stop hairstyle discrimination

RELATED: Daily Blast Live host says yes to natural hair, takes on industry standards

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