The Executive Committee of the Teton County Republican Party says it’s formally supporting a Jackson ordinance that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
County Republican Party Chairman Paul Vogelheim said the ordinance is in line with recently adopted county GOP values that respect individual rights and freedoms. He noted that Republicans in some other parts of the state, most notably Goshen County, have taken a different approach.
"We recognize we are going to be center of right in the Republican Party, a little different than the national or the state level, but we need to represent the values here in Teton County and it’s ok to be separating ourselves a little bit."
The ordinance makes it a misdemeanor to discriminate in employment, places of public accommodation and housing based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Vogelheim said it's the right thing to do.
"Well, I think prejudice in all forms, whether it's race or religion or in this case sexual orientation, is just wrong."
The Jackson Town Council will debate the ordinance two more times.
