CUYAHOGA COUNTY, Ohio — A round of applause broke out inside the Cuyahoga County Council chambers Tuesday night after members voted to pass the CROWN Act — short for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.

The new ordinance expands the county’s civil rights protections, banning discrimination based on hair texture and style. It passed in a 10-1 vote along party lines, with only Republican Michael Gallagher of District 5 dissenting.

Cuyahoga will become the first county in Ohio to enact the CROWN Act. Councilman Michael Houser (D-District 10) sponsored the legislation.

"I know how this issue affects many people, and so I'm just happy to be the one that brings this forth even if I don't have hair," Houser said, half-jokingly. "This is a very important issue. The Council p

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