CONWAY, AR – On Monday a state law took effect that prohibits local governments from adopting civil rights ordinances that protect groups like sexual orientation.
Conway City Council has passed an ordinance that would change its employee handbook in light of that law.
The ordinance will extend non-discrimination policies to city employees. It will include sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression in the equal opportunity employment section in the city handbook. The mayor says this would only impact city employees.
“We don’t practice discrimination in these categories already, we’re making sure in this environment today we specifically spell those out and it also means we’re not doing this,” says Mayor Tab Townsell.
Many people spoke out about this on Tuesday night. A lot of people against the change say they would have liked more time to think about the change.
Conway City Council has passed an ordinance that would change its employee handbook in light of that law.
The ordinance will extend non-discrimination policies to city employees. It will include sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression in the equal opportunity employment section in the city handbook. The mayor says this would only impact city employees.
“We don’t practice discrimination in these categories already, we’re making sure in this environment today we specifically spell those out and it also means we’re not doing this,” says Mayor Tab Townsell.
Many people spoke out about this on Tuesday night. A lot of people against the change say they would have liked more time to think about the change.
