The Meridian City Council is hosting a public hearing Tuesday for a proposed anti-discrimination ordinance.
The ordinance would ban discrimination citywide based on gender identity or sexual orientation. It would give victims of this type of discrimination, such as those who have lost their jobs or been denied housing, the option to press charges.
The Idaho Press reports, advocates for the ordinance are rallying the community to show up to Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
State and federal laws ban discrimination based on age, religion, race, gender, country of origin and disability in areas of employment, housing, education and public accommodations. Years of efforts have been unsuccessful at advancing legislation to add “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” as protected classes under state law.
Several cities, however, have protections of varying strength. For example, Boise passed an ordinance to “Add the Words” in December 2012.
Meridian City Council is scheduled to vote to approve or reject the ordinance Tuesday.
Residents who are unable to attend can email their comments to [email protected].
