By Matt Simonette

Staff writer

A Chicago woman who said she was denied access to a homeless shelter because she is a lesbian said last week that she will not file a lawsuit against the shelter, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The shelter has agreed to offer employee sensitivity training in August and said it will be taking other steps to ensure that GLBTs are not discriminated against.

Michelle Wang, despite working fulltime, was left homeless after her long-term relationship ended. On Nov. 1 a Chicago Department of Human Services employee helped her get in touch with New Life Shelter in Rogers Park.

After Wang told a staffer at the shelter that she is a lesbian, a New Life Shelter employee put her on hold, then returned to say that there were no beds available.

Another DHS employee then called New Life Shelter and inquired about space, and was told that two beds were indeed still available.

Rev. Bud Ogle, who co-founded the ministry that runs the shelter, told the Tribune that he thought a clerical error, not any intentional discrimination, might have been the fault. He has, however, been apologetic.

Wang will review the agendas of the sensitivity training and offer her input.

She told the Tribune, “I think this training will be done wholeheartedly, and it’s going to be awesome.”