TEMPE, Ariz. — Voters in Tempe, Ariz., on Tuesday approved a proposition to change the city charter to ban discrimination against LGBT city workers.
The vote follows a move by the city council last February approving a citywide ordinance banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in areas of housing, employment and public accommodations, such as restaurants and hotels.
That ordinance, however, did not provide protections for Tempe municipal workers.
With Tuesday’s vote, Tempe becomes the first Arizona city to include the LGBT protections as part of its city charter, meaning future city councils would require voter approval to rescind the protections, reports The Arizona Republic.
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
Supporters said the win at the ballot box as a historic step that could spur more Arizona cities to consider the public’s growing support of equal rights for the LGBT community.
In addition to Tempe, Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff also have city council approved LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination ordinances.