Scottsdale, Arizona City Hall (Screenshot via KNXV-TV ABC News 15 Phoenix)
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. | In an unanimous vote April 20, the Scottsdale City Council passed an ordinance protecting residents from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, public places and housing.
The Council’s actions came a month after the City of Mesa, Arizona approved a similar measure; “a city code prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations, employment, and housing on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, veteran’s status, marital status, or familial status, with certain exclusions.”
The city of Scottsdale becoming the eighth city in Arizona to provide protections to members of the LGBTQ community.
According to a release the ordinance will take effect on May 20 and applies to all all elected and appointed city officials, employees and volunteers and all contractors, vendors and consultants of the city.
The Associated Press reported that the newly approved ordinance has multiple exemptions, including federal and state officials, federally recognized American Indian tribes and religious organizations.
The ordinance will also not apply to anyone who violates any policy or regulation of any places of public accommodation that applies to everyone.
City officials who violate the ordinance could be subject to multiple “responsive actions,” including termination. People not connected with the city who violate the ordinance could face fines between $500 to $2,500 per violation.
