Boiseans pack five-hour hearing to support anti-discrimination ordinance

Hundreds of Boiseans turned out for a five-hour public hearing last night, with nearly all in favor of a proposed city ordinance to ban discrimination in housing and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Citizens shared emotional stories of living in fear of losing their jobs if employers found out they were gay; business leaders said the ordinance will help the city attract employers. You can read the Boise Weekly’s account here , and the Idaho Statesman’s report here ; and see KTVB-TV’s report here and KBOI2 News’ report here .

For some background, here’s a link to my Aug. 5 story on how Idaho’s cities are moving to ban such discrimination, after the the state Legislature repeatedly refused to consider legislation for a statewide ban. Boise’s City Council is expected to vote on the ordinance Dec. 4.