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Jackson, Wyo., mayor says she’s pushing LGBT-inclusive anti-discrimination measure

Jackson, Wyo., mayor says she’s pushing LGBT-inclusive anti-discrimination measure
Sara Flitner
Sara Flitner Facebook

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The mayor of Jackson is pushing an ordinance to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and says she expects to have a public hearing on it in coming weeks.

Jackson Mayor Sara Flitner said Thursday she plans to hold a public workshop to allow town councilors and the public to speak to the issue. If a council majority agrees, it would then head to a formal council vote.

“We are really just following in the footsteps of Laramie municipality and exploring supporting their efforts and leadership in this arena,” Flitner said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The Laramie City Council in May passed an ordinance outlawing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, employment and access to public facilities such as restaurants.

The Laramie ordinance drew praise from gay activists around the country. The community’s reputation had been scarred by the killing of Matthew Shepard, a gay University of Wyoming student, 17 years ago.

The Wyoming Legislature defeated a proposed statewide anti-discrimination measure early this year. Supporters say they intend to bring it up again.

Flitner, who took office in January, said she had been considering the anti-discrimination ordinance before last week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld the rights of same-sex couples around the country to get married.

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Flitner said she welcomed the court ruling. “I just don’t understand how I would suffer from having a more fair, civil and equality minded policy on the books,” she said.

Outlawing discrimination in Jackson will benefit residents and visitors alike, said Flitner, who runs a communications strategy business.

“Like lots of companies who just really are focused on their customers, I think our customers are both our local residents and taxpayers and also our visitors,” Flitner said. “The data is in: It’s pretty clear that customers want fairness, they want to do business in a fair environment. They largely support these kinds of anti-discrimination measures.”

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Speaking at a press conference this week in Cheyenne, Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead said he believes the Legislature needs to look at revising existing state law that defines marriage as existing only between one man and one woman in response to the Supreme Court ruling.

“I think based on that ruling, the Legislature will have an opportunity to say, ‘OK, this is the court’s ruling: same-sex marriage is not only allowed, but required. And how do we go forward as a state?” he said.

Mead, a Republican, had gone to court to defend Wyoming’s marriage law last year against a challenge from several same-sex couples. He said this week that, as the Legislature considers changes to the state’s marriage law, it also needs to consider the importance of protecting religious rights and liberties.

Jeran Artery of Cheyenne is chairman of Wyoming Equality, a group that advocates for equal rights for gay, lesbian and transgendered people. With the Supreme Court ruling on marriage accomplished, he said his group will continue pushing for a statewide anti-discrimination law.

“The marriage issue has been settled, and we don’t need to revisit that,” Artery said Thursday. “And I know it’s a tough pill to swallow for some people who have those deeply held religious convictions. And I respect that.”

]ad\Artery said it’s already plain under the U.S. Constitution that religious clergy who don’t want to preside over marriages for same-sex couples don’t have to do so.

“So, we don’t need these religious exemption bills, these religious freedom bills,” Artery said. “They always sound good. The ‘Freedom of Religion Act,’ who wouldn’t love that? But we already have it in this country.”

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