The Laramie City Council gave initial approval to a proposed ordinance that would add employment and housing protections for gay and lesbian residents.
This comes after a heavily backed and well funded statewide LGBT anti-discrimination bill died in the state legislature this year.
The Laramie ordinance would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, and in public accommodations like bars and restaurants. It carries maximum penalties of up to six months in jail and a $750-dollar fine. Although Laramie is considered fairly progressive by Wyoming standards, ordinance supporters said that the city’s gay and lesbian residents still deal with discrimination.
Organizer Will Welch spoke to the council about an incident a few years ago, when two men dancing together in a local bar were forcibly ejected by the bouncer.
“Those gentlemen and their friends were shocked, and they left the establishment feeling very injured,” he said. This would not have happened if we had an [anti-discrimination] ordinance.”
Currently Jackson is the only Wyoming town with an LGBT anti-discrimination policy, and it only covers public employees.
The Laramie ordinance passed its first reading on an 8-1 vote. Only councilman Joe Vitale voted against it, citing concerns the measure would restrict Laramie residents’ religious freedoms.
There will be two more votes before a final decision is made.
