Protection for gays splits council

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20101019/NEWS01/710199879/0#protection-for-gays-splits-council

Published Tuesday October 19, 2010

By Maggie O'Brien
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

A change in Omaha city ordinance that would give gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people new protections against discrimination has hit some snags.

One City Council member wants Omaha voters — not council members — to decide an issue that could affect every employer in the city. Another council member says she's hearing objections from businesses, schools and religious groups.

Last month, Councilman Ben Gray proposed changing Omaha's ordinances against discrimination to include sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity. His proposal would make those groups a protected class under city code — protection they don't currently have under state or federal law.

Gray has said he asked for the changes because “there have been instances of people being discriminated against.”

If someone believes he or she was fired because of sexual orientation or gender identity, the revisions would allow that person to sue the company on the grounds that it violated city ordinance, Gray said.

City Councilwoman Jean Stothert said Monday that's what has her concerned. She said she's unlikely to support Gray's proposal at this time.

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