The Lincoln City Council heard testimony Monday afternoon at their regularly scheduled meeting on amending provisions of Title 11 of the Lincoln Municipal Code that addresses equal opportunity. This would expand protection against discrimination including sexual orientation and gender identity. The change in the Municipal Code would prevent discrimination in the sale or rental of housing, employment, and equal access to public accommodations.
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird voiced her support saying, “The section of our code hasn’t been updated in more than 25 years. As a mayor and a mother raising three children in Lincoln, I support the changes in the strongest terms. I want to go home and tell my kids and kids all across the community and promise them they can grow up in this community feeling respected, safe, and enjoy a true sense of belonging and can safely build their lives and livelihoods. This legislation helps us make and keep that promise to our children and our community.”
Karen Bellindancy with the YWCA of Lincoln says, “The YWCA supports these updates to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the definition of of sex to protect these characteristics under anti-discrimination laws in the city of Lincoln. The YWCA strong affirms that LGBTQ+ individuals should be able to participate fully and without discrimination in all aspects of life including at work, at school, finding housing and in public and at other venues.”
Others organizations speaking in support of the change included Fairness Lincoln, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, and Lincoln’s Young Professional Group.
There were opponents.
One man referenced a case in Virginia where a boy wearing a skirt sexually assaulted a girl in a school women’s restroom. He stated, “Be very careful you don’t also create a loophole that allows those that have nothing to do with what you are trying to do but are nothing more than predators and seekers of opportunity.”
Testimony lasted for several hours.
This amendment would also provide protections for active military and veterans.
The Council will vote next Monday.