Openly gay Chicago Alderman Tom Tunney has proposed establishing set-aside contracts for businesses owned by LGBT residents, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

At a hearing Tuesday, the city’s Budget Committee extended until 2015 a construction contract set-aside ordinance for businesses owned by minorities and women.  Just before the unanimous vote to approve the extension, Tunney inquired as to whether any other municipality designates LGBT as a qualified minority.  Corporation Counsel Mara Georges stated that she knew of none in the U.S., but added, “We are certainly happy to talk to you about it and whether that’s something we should attempt to pursue.”

Tunney first raised the issue in 2003, but it was dropped shortly thereafter. “All I’m asking is just to explore this as we move forward with making it an even better ordinance,” said Tunney.  “We’re looking to do more research within the community about quantifiable discrimination in terms of access to credit and financial issues … to see whether or not, at a future date, categories within the LGBT community might be eligible.”

(Via Towleroad)