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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-24 05-349 RESOLVEaemMo.O5 349 Date: Wooer 24, 2005 Item/Subject Resolve, Calling Upon the Citizens of Bangor to Oppose Question 1 on Me November Ballot - people's Veto. Responsible Department: City Manager Commentary: The attached resolve Indicates the Grys position in opposition to Question 1 on the November ballot This question would overturn, via the people's veto process, a recently enacted state law that would protect mdNiduals from discrimination in employment, housing, education, public aaommodations, and crack based on Meir sexual orientation. Over the years, the City Council has supported efforts to reduce intolerance within our community and our State, whether that intolerance is based on race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. The Council has previously supported the enactment of lagisladon at the State level that would ban discrimination based on sexual onentadon and has taken steps to afford such protections In Bangor. In 2001, the City Council adopted a local ordinance banning disaimmatton an the basis of sexual orientation. This issue has been discussed by the Finance Committee, which recommends your approval. Manager's Comments: assudiated Ddormadon: Budget approval: Department Head Finance Director X Passage _ First Reading Page _ of Referral 05 349 �^ Assigned to Crathck OCT 2 4 2005 CITY OF BANGOR (TITLE.) Resolve, Calling Upon the Citizens of Bangor to Oppose Question 1 on the November Ballot— People's Veto. WHEREAS, Question 1 on the November ballot will ask voters if they want to reject a new State law that would protect people from discrimination based on their sexual orientation; and WHEREAS, in September 2001, the City Council of the City of Bangor adopted an ordinance banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the City of Bangor; and WHEREAS, the City of Bangor believes that all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation, should have the same civil rights protections currently guaranteed to others in such areas as employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit; and WHEREAS, in furtherance of this belief, the Bangor City Council has long supported efforts to reduce intolerance within our community and our State, whether that intolerance is based on race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGORTHAT We call upon the citizens of Bangor to oppose Ballot Question 1 on the November B, 2005 ballot. We support the recently enacted state law that protects individuals from discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, and credit based on their sexual orientation. This law mirrors the protections already available to the residents of Bangor under our local laws and ordinances, and we believe such protections should be available throughout the State of Maine. IH CITY PoHPCIL October 20. 2005 05-369 Notion Hade and Seconded It norYawn¢ e H 3 O L V 8 (I.ITt,) Gelling upon tba Citzeos b o£ or t0 vppoae k riw a w roe awemoe llot - Peoples Veto Aesiped to Y