Council rejects ordinance on gays

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20101026/NEWS01/710279957#council-rejects-ordinance-on-gays

Published Wednesday October 27, 2010

By Maggie O'Brien WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Disappointed members of Omaha's gay and lesbian community exchanged hugs and wiped away tears Tuesday after the City Council voted down a proposal to give them new protections against discrimination.

The council “shirked its responsibility to this city and this state,” said Omaha gay activist Scott Winkler. “They did a disservice to both.”

After nearly five hours of discussion, the ordinance failed on a 3-3 vote.

Councilmen Ben Gray, Pete Festersen and Chris Jerram voted in favor; Jean Stothert, Garry Gernandt and Thomas Mulligan were opposed. Councilman Franklin Thompson, who has called for a public vote on the issue, abstained.

The meeting ended soon after the vote. Council members went into closed session and did not stick around the legislative chambers to comment on the vote.

Gray, author of the ordinance, proposed that gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people be a protected class under city code protection they don't currently have under state or federal law.

FULL story at link.

[Pab Sungenis]

1. Abstaining on a civil rights vote

is a cowardly way of voting against civil rights, and should be recognized as such.