Groups take sides on gay protections

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20101025/NEWS01/710269982/1015#groups-take-sides-on-gay-protections

Published Tuesday October 26, 2010

By Maggie O’Brien and Leslie Reed

The top leadership of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce said Monday that it opposes an effort to enact legal protections for homosexual and transgender people, although the chamber’s young professionals group endorsed the ordinance.

Meanwhile, a Christian-oriented public policy group took aim at the proposed changes, saying the city does not have the authority to pass such a law.

The changes to the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance, drafted by City Councilman Ben Gray, are up for a council vote Tuesday.

The ordinance would apply to Omaha employers, although last week — at the request of the Archdiocese of Omaha — Gray amended his proposal to exclude religious groups.

Council members have been flooded with phone calls both for and against the measure. Demonstrations were expected outside City Hall before the 2 p.m. meeting.

On the eve of the meeting, David Brown, president and CEO of the chamber, sent a letter to the council outlining the executive committee’s concerns. Brown said the matter would be better dealt with at the state or federal level.

FULL story at link.