Missoula City Council approves non-discrimination ordinance

[ccharles000]

In the wee hours Tuesday morning, the Missoula City Council adopted the first equality ordinance in Montana that protects people from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

"Most of us can't remember civil rights in action," said Councilwoman Stacy Rye, an ordinance sponsor. "This is it for us. This is our lifetimes."

In front of citizens who sat through a nearly seven-hour meeting, the council voted 10-2 in favor of the measure - which protects Missoula residents from housing and employment discrimination based on "actual or perceived ... sexual orientation, gender identity or expression."

The measure passed at 1:45 a.m.

"Hopefully our actions tonight will ripple through Montana from Libby to Billings, from Dillon to Wolf Point, and eventually to the capital in Helena," said Councilman Dave Strohmaier, another sponsor of the ordinance.

http://www.missoulian.com/news/local/article_413f00c2-46d1-11df-9b94-001cc4c03286.html

[LiberalLoner]

1. I love it! Missoula is one of the coolest places on earth. And it's my home. I don't live there

anymore, but in my heart, it's still home.