City Government
4 of 5 Oppose Non-Discrimination Ordinance
November 20, 2012 
Despite an orchestrated turnout at a public hearing on a proposed Boise City ordinance outlawing discrimination in housing and the workplace which exempts local governments, scouts, and religious organizations, four out of five calls to the Mayor’s Hotline oppose passage of the new law.
The hotline contains no transcript of the callers reasoning–or even a summary. However, the latest tally from City Hall reports those who called overwhelmingly oppose the ordinance.
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Comments & Discussion
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© 2012 Boise Guardian. 
Nov 20, 2012, 6:41 pm
Because it is un-needed BS and a distraction from economic issues
Nov 21, 2012, 6:33 am
Of course no one would ever orchestrate a bunch of calls to the mayors hotline………
Nov 21, 2012, 10:49 am
The whole point about civil rights is that it’s not up to the majority to decide what rights the minority have. I expect you could find similar opposition for all sorts of other rights and groups. As our founding fathers like John Adams said, we need to be concerned about the tyranny of the majority.
EDITOR NOTE–From our perspective, we are concerned about what is NOT covered.
Nov 21, 2012, 11:45 am
Very little traffic on here. State, county, and city employees have lots of paid time off so not contributing this week?
Nov 21, 2012, 12:35 pm
If the ordinance exempts religious organizations and the scouts, it misses the biggest offenders (aka discriminators). That’s pretty weak.
Nov 21, 2012, 5:30 pm
Troubled by the “value laden” word “orchestrated” here. Words have both meaning and impact,. One sometimes calls something a grass-roots effort, sometimes it is organized support or opposition. Having worked is a place which was subject to “organized efforts” upon occasion, I’d prefer a less value-laden reporting on this, and other topics. One person’s outraged citizen is another person’s concerned citizen.
Forced to agree that religious and charitable organizations are among the leading discriminators. And the social/fraternal organizations are right up . there, too. Clearly as an effective ordinance this one lacks much meaning, just as does the organized telephone objection..
Nov 21, 2012, 11:22 pm
Spending time and money on this legislation is very unnecessary !- Isn’t it already against the law to discriminate in housing and workplace? The council just wants credit for doing something ?
Nov 22, 2012, 10:03 am
brat1: No, it is NOT already against the law to discriminate in housing and workplace with regard to sexual preference or gender identity. That is the reason for “adding the words.” It is currently illegal to discriminate on the basis of race or for being a woman, but there are no protections if you are gay. Someone CAN fire you or kick you out of your rental apartment, not because of anything you have done, but simply for who you are.
Nov 22, 2012, 3:22 pm
Idaho is an AT-WILL state. An ordinance of this kind is unenforceable. City of Boise and Ada County Sheriff’s Office already have in-house policies against gay discrimination. Idaho Legislature has not “added the words.” No one should face discrimination, even those with body art. See article/link below about Boise being ordered by federal court (jury) to pay $1 million in damages to homeless shelter for women and children for discrimination and retaliation. True, this was a previous administration, but city of Boise has said it will appeal. Why fight it? Women and children deserve shelter, food and protection, too. Don’t know current status of appeal. Costs now up to near $2 million. What next? No Supersized beverages? Before passing this ordinance, practice what you preach, Boise, and pay up! Take it out of your proposed raises.
I must go now to orchestrate the preparation and serving of my family’s Thanksgiving meal. Happy Thanksgiving to EVERYONE, including my new grand-puppy!
Community House wins $1M in lawsuit against Boise – … http://www.kivitv.com/news/local/169622996.html
Sep 13, 2012 … BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal jury has ordered the city of Boise to pay $1 million to an organization that advocates for homeless people for discriminating against women and children and retaliating against the organization when … and Boise city once had a partnership to run a homeless shelter and soup …