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Gillette Adopts Non-Discrimination Resolution

Wyoming Equality

On Tuesday, the Gillette City Council adopted a non-discrimination resolution in support of greater equality for the LGBT community. The resolution has no real legal power but is designed to encourage the Wyoming Legislature to take action.

Wyoming Equality spokeswoman Sara Burlingame said there was only one dissenting vote and, during the meeting, no one voiced opposition.

Jackson passed a similar resolution in December last year. So far, Gillette and Jackson are the only two cities to do so, but Burlingame said the organization is currently working with Douglas, Cheyenne, Casper, and Rocking Springs to pass similar resolutions. Currently, Laramie is the only place in the state with a non-discrimination ordinance, which makes discrimination a misdemeanor.

Burlingame said the more communities adopt these resolutions the more people will recognize how important the issue is. She said the goal is to eventually offer the LGBT community protection from discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations via a comprehensive state law.

“Wyoming believes in fairness. We have an ethic of accountability,” said Burlingame. “This isn’t a new thing we’re being asked to do, the people are already there. They just want their Legislators—we just want our Legislators—to pass a comprehensive state law.”

Burlingame said a 2015 survey showed that 96 percent of Wyoming residents believed job hiring should be based on a person’s experience, abilities, and performance, and not on their sexuality or gender identity. 

Maggie Mullen is Wyoming Public Radio's regional reporter with the Mountain West News Bureau. Her work has aired on NPR, Marketplace, Science Friday, and Here and Now. She was awarded a 2019 regional Edward R. Murrow Award for her story on the Black 14.
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