Civil rights

Lower Merion last night banned discrimination against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. The township’s board of commissioners voted unanimously to approve the anti-discrimination legislation.

As part of the legislation, the township created a Human Relations Commission, Main Line News reports. The seven-member group will evalute complaints and can impose penalties of up to $10,000 for the violation of the new rights.

Under the legislation, discrimination for eomployeement, housing and public accommodations based on sexual orientation or gender identity will be illegal.