The Boise City Council on Tuesday night
unanimously approved a gay protections law.
The law, which takes effect on January
1, makes it illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation in
the areas of employment, housing and at local businesses. The law
includes exceptions for religious institutions and some private
organizations, CBS affiliate WBOI
reported.
Supporters cheered passage with a
standing ovation.
While speaking on the legislation,
Councilwoman Maryanne Jordan, a strong supporter of the measure,
became emotional.
“If this ordinance can serve to have
children in our community to feel valued in our community in a way
they may not have before,” she said. “To go away to school and
to come home to a place that they love and know that they can thrive
here as adults then I think we have done our civic responsibility.”
City officials heard hours of testimony
on the proposed law from opponents and supporters during a November
13 public meeting.
“Having been almost raised by my
brother who is gay, and I was able to witness first hand those types
of discrimination that do occur,” Councilman TJ Thompson explained.
Boise is Idaho's largest city. (A
video report is embedded on this page. Visit
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