KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The city of Kalamazoo is announcing it has selected designated liaisons to the LGBTQ+ community.
The City Manager’s Office Liaison is Tanya Hewitt-Smith, who is the city’s director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and will represent the administration.
Public Safety Officer Christina Ellis has been named the LGBTQ+ Liaison for Public Safety and will be the department’s point of contact for the community and officers.
The LGBTQ+ Liaisons will be “an accessible and friendly ear” to the city’s LGBTQ+ community and will elevate their concerns to leaders.
The city says both roles reflect Kalamazoo’s dedication and commitment to DEI and the goal of increasing the score on the city’s Municipal Equality Index calculated by the Human Rights Campaign.
Kalamazoo scored 86 out of 100 on that score for 2023, a 12-point increase from 2022. One way the city improved the score was partnering with OutFront Kalamazoo for LGBTQ+ trainings for all staff.
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