Last night, the cities of Twin Falls and Lewiston added clauses to protect employees from discrimination based on their sexual orientation. Unlike measures in Sandpoint and Boise that protect all residents, these policies apply only to city workers.
Twin Falls city councilwoman Rebecca Mills Sojka proposed the change during a discussion of the city’s personnel handbook last month. Although there haven’t been known cases of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, Mills Sojka says Twin Falls needs to protect its employees.
“Because if we don’t have it clearly written in our policy that you’re protected and you have rights and you have recourse, people aren’t going to come forward,” says Sojka.
At this time, the councilwoman does not have plans to propose a city-wide nondiscrimination ordinance like the laws in Sandpoint and Boise.
In Lewiston, city manager Jim Bennett suggested adding “sexual orientation” to an update in the city’s handbook. Bennett says residents in Lewiston have paid close attention to the city council’s discussions.
“Some are very much in favor of it and support gay rights and others are – let’s just say more cautious – and are not sure that we need to have that specifically said in our official city policy.”
Bennett references hiring practices that include LGBT protections across the country, and says Lewiston should not be left behind. He says the topic of a city-wide nondiscrimination ordinance did come up during last night’s meeting, but no proposal was made.
Copyright 2013 Boise State Public Radio