Chicago lesbian
to help train employees at shelter she was turned away
from

A woman who was turned away from a Chicago homeless shelter for being a lesbian will not file suit against it after employees agreed to antidiscrimination training.

Michelle Wang, 27, claimed she was denied shelter at New Life Interim Housing because she disclosed she was a lesbian to an employee in April. She received legal assistance from the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois and law firm Neal, Gerber, and Eisenberg LLP.

Fifty New Life staffers will begin training in August to learn about using correct terms and pronouns, protecting privacy of clients, and preventing abuse and harassment. The Lawyers Committee for Better Housing, in cooperation with two other fair housing advocacy groups, will provide training for all current employees.

In addition, the training will include measures to help prevent harm and will establish a method to investigate complaints of discrimination and respond appropriately to them.

Wang will be able to review the training syllabus before the classes take place and will provide any suggestions to the organization conducting the training.

According to ACLU Gay and Lesbian Rights Project director John A. Knight, the city of Chicago has also decided to conduct antidiscrimination training for staff at other homeless shelters.

The Reverend Bud Ogle, cofounder of the Christian ministry that runs the shelter, said Wang's being turned away was not intentional discrimination.

"In our 31 years of work to end homelessness, God often teaches us that good things can come out of bad situations," Ogle said in an ACLU statement. "Michelle Wang has helped us realize this again. We continue to oppose any and all discrimination, injustice, fear, and prejudice." (The Advocate)