Independence City Council adds protections for sexual orientation, gender identity to ordinance Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Phillip Hawkins/KSHB and last updated 2021-07-06 20:26:58-04 KANSAS CITY, Mo. â LGBTQ+ people are now protected in Independence under an updated assault ordinance. The Independence City Council on Monday approved the adjustment, which added sexual orientation and gender identity to its list of protected classes under Section 12.01.003 of the cityâs code. âIt is important to regularly review our codes and ordinances,â Mayor Eileen Weir said in a news release. âWith this update, we further remind our citizens we are a welcoming community committed to protecting all of our citizens and truly an Independence for all.â