Ketchum’s Anti-Discrimination Ordinance heads for Final Approval

A proposed ordinance that would make it illegal to discriminate against a person because of his or her gender identity or sexual orientation was approved for a third and final reading by the Ketchum City Council on Tuesday night.

This week’s meeting marks the second time the council has unanimously voted to advance the measure.

Though council members could have voted to suspend a third reading of the proposal, city officials say they want to make sure it receives a fair political process.

Lisa Horowitz, director of community and economic development, told The Idaho Mountain Express in December that “there’s no absolute urgency,” to pass the measure. “This ordinance is a new topic for the city and the council wants to give the public opportunity to comment before adopting the ordinance,” she said.

If given final approval, during next week’s council meeting, on January 22nd, “a proposed Human Relations Review Board would be formed to investigate complaints of violations of the ordinance. The emphasis of the ordinance will be on “mediation and education.” However, violators could be charged by the Blaine County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with a misdemeanor,” the newspaper reports.

If passed, Ketchum would become the third city in Idaho to enact such an ordinance. Sandpoint passed its anti-discrimination ordinance in 2011 and Boise passed a similar measure in December. Leaders in Pocatello, Idaho Falls and Moscow are also considering adding their own anti-discrimination bans.  Driggs considered its own proposal in November but council members voted not to move the measure forward.

Boise’s ordinance went into affect on January 1st.  There will be a meeting tomorrow night, Wednesday, January 8th from 6:30-8:00 pm, at the Community Center in Garden City to answer any questions members of the LGBT community might have regarding the new law. Click HERE to learn more.