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Phoenix, Nation's Sixth-Largest City, Bans LGBT Discrimination

Phoenix, Nation's Sixth-Largest City, Bans LGBT Discrimination

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Five-hundred people packed Tuesday's city council meeting.

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Phoenix, one of the nation's largest cities without an ordinance protecting LGBT people from discrimination, finally righted that wrong on Tuesday.

The city council passed an ordinance that extended citywide protections in housing, employment, and public accomodations to cover sexual orientation, gender identity, and disabilities. The five-hour council meeting attracted 500 members of the public, with people both advocating and denigrating the ordinance.

"The issue we're facing today is not an issue of rights, it's an issue of morality," said one man during the public comments.

Regardless, the council passed the ordinance by a 5-3 vote, 21 years after a similar effort failed. The ordinance allows for exemptions from religious organizations, small private landlords, senior housing, and private clubs.

The current mayor, Democrat Greg Stanton, championed the change. His wife has also been a visible spokesperson against teen bullying, including the harassment of LGBT youth.

Read more here.

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Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.