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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sam Holdren Equality Phoenix, Ariz. – In a 4-3 vote tonight, the Scottsdale City Council enacted an ordinance that extends workplace protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender city employees. By adopting Ordinance No. 3765, the city council amended the city's equal employment opportunity ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Mayor Mary Manross joined Councilmembers Betty Drake, Robert Littlefield and Vice Mayor Wayne Ecton in voting for the ordinance, while Councilmembers Ron McCullagh, Tony Nelssen, and W.J. "Jim" Lane opposed it. Equality Arizona Executive Director Barbara McCullough-Jones issued the following statement: "We congratulate the Scottsdale City Council for joining countless other private and public sector employers in adoption a policy to ensure equal protection for their employees, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. Despite facing strong opposition, Scottsdale's elected officials demonstrated leadership by putting into policy the inclusive practices of this diverse city. "Tonight we celebrate with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender community, and our allies, in Scottsdale and
throughout Arizona. A broad collaboration of civil rights,
faith, business and community leaders united in this effort to
ensure all people are guaranteed equality. We are grateful
to those who supported our efforts, and look forward to
strengthening our relationships with our allies as we continue
to advance the movement for equality in Arizona." |
