LITTLE ROCK, AR — The Little Rock Board of Directors vote to pass a non-discrimination policy for city employees and those who do business with the city.
Dozens of people packed inside a room at City Hall tonight to find out the result of this vote. After nearly an hour of waiting, in as little as five minutes and not much discussion, the ordinance passed. Folks in the audience applauded the decision.
Seven directors voted for it and two against. The two who voted against the ordinance were Erma Hendrix and B.J. Wyrick. Director Ken Richardson was not in attendance. However, Mayor Mark Stodola said in a conversation he had with Richardson, he also supported passing the ordinance.
The changes to the policy will now include adding sexual orientation and identity as personal factors that can not be used to discriminate in employment practices or services. Vendors and contractors doing business in Little Rock would also be included.
A majority of people attending the meeting tonight were in favor of passing the policy. Director Hendrix was not, but she didn’t say much when we asked about her decision.
Hendrix said, “It was my personal belief.” When the reporter asked, “So do you have any comment?” She answered, “My comment was the way I voted. That was it.”
Little Rock resident Kendra Johnson, who supported the ordinance, said, “I thought it was incredible that it passed, an incredible great faith, good faith effort on the part of the city to show that Arkansans are against discrimination.”
So now, sexual orientation and identity will be added to a list of other factors city employees can not discriminate against like race, religion and disability.
Last month, Arkansas was in the national spotlight as state leaders debated a Religious Freedom Bill that some feared would discriminate against same sex couples. Mayor Stodola says the ordinance that passed tonight shows the country Little Rock does not discriminate.
Little Rock’s city attorney has said this ordinance does not run in violation of Senate Bill 202 — passed last month — which bans cities and municipalities from expanding anti-discrimination policies past what’s already covered under the state’s civil rights law. City Directors point to an anti-bullying statute, they say, gives them this authority.
Dozens of people packed inside a room at City Hall tonight to find out the result of this vote. After nearly an hour of waiting, in as little as five minutes and not much discussion, the ordinance passed. Folks in the audience applauded the decision.
Seven directors voted for it and two against. The two who voted against the ordinance were Erma Hendrix and B.J. Wyrick. Director Ken Richardson was not in attendance. However, Mayor Mark Stodola said in a conversation he had with Richardson, he also supported passing the ordinance.
The changes to the policy will now include adding sexual orientation and identity as personal factors that can not be used to discriminate in employment practices or services. Vendors and contractors doing business in Little Rock would also be included.
A majority of people attending the meeting tonight were in favor of passing the policy. Director Hendrix was not, but she didn’t say much when we asked about her decision.
Hendrix said, “It was my personal belief.” When the reporter asked, “So do you have any comment?” She answered, “My comment was the way I voted. That was it.”
Little Rock resident Kendra Johnson, who supported the ordinance, said, “I thought it was incredible that it passed, an incredible great faith, good faith effort on the part of the city to show that Arkansans are against discrimination.”
So now, sexual orientation and identity will be added to a list of other factors city employees can not discriminate against like race, religion and disability.
Last month, Arkansas was in the national spotlight as state leaders debated a Religious Freedom Bill that some feared would discriminate against same sex couples. Mayor Stodola says the ordinance that passed tonight shows the country Little Rock does not discriminate.
Little Rock’s city attorney has said this ordinance does not run in violation of Senate Bill 202 — passed last month — which bans cities and municipalities from expanding anti-discrimination policies past what’s already covered under the state’s civil rights law. City Directors point to an anti-bullying statute, they say, gives them this authority.
