Topeka passes ordinance banning discrimination against gays [View All]

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Topeka passes ordinance banning discrimination against gays

TOPEKA - The Topeka City Council on Tuesday night approved a version of an ordinance making it illegal for the city to discriminate in hiring on the basis of sexual orientation.

Council members voted 5-4 to approve the ban. City attorney Brenden Long said the measure affects the city of Topeka's hiring practices and not the public at large. He said Shawnee County commissioners passed a similar measure last year.

The council initially considered a proposal that would have inserted the terms "sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression" into sections of city code that ban discrimination based on other reasons, such as race, gender or disability.

Council members then voted 5-4 to amend the ordinance to remove the phrase "gender identity or expression."

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Topeka passes ordinance banning discrimination against gays