KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Two newly-appointed liaisons hope to bridge the gap between the city of Kalamazoo and the LGBTQ+ community.
In July, the city designated Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director Tanya Hewitt-Smith as the City Manager’s Office liaison to the LGBTQ+ community, while Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Officer Christina Ellis was named the LGBTQ+ liaison for public safety.
The two are there to be an accessible and friendly ear for members of the LGBTQ+ community and to help bring concerns to city leaders.
Hewitt-Smith explained that it’s part of the city’s effort to increase its Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index score, which was 86 out of 100 in 2023, up from 74 in 2022. She said if the LGBTQ+ community has any concerns or thinks action needs to take place, she can bring those issues to the city’s executive office.
