Posted on December 4, 2012 at 9:54 PM

Updated today at 10:22 PM

BOISE — A historic moment for many Tuesday night, the Boise City Council unanimously approved the non-discrimination ordinance.

Boise now becomes the second city in the state of Idaho to make it illegal to discriminate against someone in housing, employment, and public accommodation just because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

In a packed Idaho Statehouse auditorium, supporters got to their feet, clapping and cheering as members of the council each voted “yes” to approve the ordinance.

It all took place inside the same building, where earlier this year lawmakers turned down a similar statewide measure, called “Add the Words.”

“To have that happen, have this happen here tonight in the same room that we didn’t see a positive result this past session, is really powerful,” said support and Legislative Director for Planned Parenthood Hannah Brass Greer.

Supporters packed in, just as they did at the November 13th public hearing. That evening, council heard testimony that lasted well into the late evening hours, from both sides.

Council President Maryann Jordan said the feeling was the same Tuesday night.

“You can feel people having that feeling of safety and feeling of being valued that might have been missing for them before” she said.

Mayor Dave Bieter said there are other cities around Idaho that are already contacting his office about how the non-discrimination ordinance was drafted.

He said most recently, he has talked with the Mayor of Pocatello.

“Makes us really think that we have the right policy and that it will help make us a better city,” said Mayor Bieter.

Sandpoint was the first to pass this kind of city law.

By the time the Boise City Council gaveled its Nov. 13 session closed, the time was 11:05 p.m. and more than 300 citizens had witnessed more than 60 people testify overwhelmingly in favor of a proposed city ordinance that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“It was an honor to be present here and listen tonight,” said Boise Mayor Dave Bieter. “It’s been an amazing night. You can’t believe what it’s like to sit here and listen to citizens. They did an incredible job.”

On Oct. 24, Boise Weekly first told you about the proposed measure, formally known as Ordinance 3612, crafted by Boise Council President Maryanne Jordan and Council Member Lauren McLean.

“I truly believe that this is not only a civic responsibility but a moral obligation,” said Jordan. “In particular, I want to thank you Mayor Bieter for appointing Council Member McLean to the Council,” pointing to her co-sponsor.

“In addition to the rational thinking about this, I came to this issue as a mother,” responded McLean. “It was important to me to embrace what I think is the truth.”

Council Member Elaine Clegg said that “it’s not too often that a council member can make a decision on something like this that can affect lives in such a profound way.”

Council Member TJ Thomson, who mentioned an older brother who is gay as a mentor, called the Nov. 13 public hearing “the greatest display of participation since I’ve been on this council. No one should ever fear the loss of their job or denial of housing because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This is not special rights. This is equal rights.”

And Boise’s newest council member, Ben Quintana, took note of the time.

“Look at the clock,” said Quintana. “We’ve been here almost five hours tonight. Thank you for stepping up. I have never been as proud to serve as I have tonight.”

Council Member David Eberle was absent from the Nov. 13 meeting but sent his support of the ordinance via email.

After two more formal readings of the proposed ordinance, the Boise City Council is slated to vote on the measure on Tuesday, Dec. 4.

Boise City Council Member Lauren McLean: “I really feel confident that our council understands the importance of this. This is something that our citizens expect us to do.”

An ordinance that would add nondiscrimination protections for gender identity and sexual orientation goes before Boise City Council members tonight in what’s slated to be the first of three hearings about the proposal.

The measure’s co-sponsor, Council Member Lauren McLean, said the ordinance would not only protect Boiseans from discrimination in housing, employment and services, but could make Boise a more appealing place for businesses thinking about setting up shop in the City of Trees.

“As an elected official, I’m focusing on building a vibrant downtown, further improving our neighborhoods, parks, and open spaces, and I’m going to do what I can to make sure all of Boise’s citizens, visitors, and future citizens know they’ll be treated with dignity and respect,” McLean said. “If we do all this, we’ll have what it takes to attract the best businesses, jobs, and workers to Boise—and to ensure economic opportunity for all residents.”

A coalition of citizens have already vowed to back the measure and organized lobbyist training sessions to help get the proposal passed. Advocates that didn’t see lawmakers add the words “sexual orientation” and “gender discrimination” to state anti-discrimination laws in past legislative sessions are pushing Boise leaders to close the civil rights gap on a citywide level.

“This ordinance is about fairness in our great city. I am proud that the City of Boise, and other cities throughout Idaho, have taken the initiative to pass this important ordinance,” said civil rights advocate Lisa Perry.

Boise Mayor Dave Bieter supports the measure that calls for education and mediation to remedy violations of the proposed code.

“Our system is based on the idea that everyone should have the same opportunity to succeed,” Mayor Bieter said in a written statement. “This ordinance is the right thing to do because it ensures that fundamental principle is alive and well in Boise. It also makes good business sense, because as we look to attract new jobs and businesses, we must demonstrate that Boise offers the same protections as other cities. In short, discrimination is bad for business and counter to our shared ideals.”

The council will hear the proposal at 6 p.m. in the WW02 Auditorium in the West Wing of the Idaho Statehouse. A second reading is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 27, at City Hall, and a third reading and final vote is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the Statehouse.

This year, the Idaho legislature failed to garner enough support to pass a similar piece of legislation that would protect all people living in Idaho against sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination.

If the ordinance is approved, Boise will be only the second city in Idaho with a sexual orientation-focused anti-discrimination law on the books — after Sandpoint.

“We are not espousing a certain dogma or pushing a political or social issue, we are really just saying that this is about equality and that everybody in the city needs to be treated the same,” said Boise City Council woman Lauren McLean.

Tuesday, the city council will begin a public conversation on an issue council woman McLean has wanted to talk about for awhile.

“I can tell you that I have been working on this for a year,” she said. “So it would have been great if we could have done this sooner, making policy takes a long time.”

If passed, the ordinance would protect everyone living in the Boise city limits from being discriminated against for housing, employment and public accommodation based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

McLean says the city’s economy depends on it.

“We are working very hard to attract the best and brightest employees and the best and brightest employers to the city and we need to be able to tell a story clearly in Boise, everyone is treated equally and this ordinance puts reality to paper,” she said.

If this ordinance becomes law, others with the same agenda say it will pave the way for the state to do the same.

“It’s nice to see these local elected officials stepping up to the plate when they see a need that isn’t being met, obviously as it wasn’t in the legislature last year,” said Misti Tolman, co-founder of the Add the Words Campaign.

Her group lobbied the Idaho legislature this year to pass a statewide anti-discrimination law.

“Now when we see this happening in cities around the state and them turning out in support of their ordinances it’s going to be a lot harder to use that argument against passing some anti-discrimination legislation at the state level,” said Tolman.

If passed, council members say the first step in a discrimination suit would be mediation.

However, if that doesn’t work, offenders could face a $1,000 fine or jail time.

The council will hold their first public hearing on the non discrimination ordinance Tuesday.

The report shows 250 contributions and demonstrates that McLean’s vision for Boise appeals to people of both parties: community leaders, business people, labor organizations, arts patrons, neighborhood activists, school advocates, and hundreds of residents committed to this city’s future.

“I’ve said all along that this campaign – whether it be knocking on doors, raising money, or communicating with voters – is about advancing issues that will have an impact on this city.  My fundraising support demonstrates that diverse people agree with my vision, value my track record, and trust my leadership,” said Lauren McLean.

Despite having no opponent, McLean raised just shy of $40,000 and reported just over $23,000 cash on hand at the close of the first reporting cycle.  ”I am thankful for the outpouring of support I received after being named to the Council and announcing my candidacy for a four year term.  I look forward to working together with the Mayor, Council and residents across this city on policies and initiatives that will make Boise a model City in the West.”

Echoing her commitment to a campaign that focuses on issues and Boise’s future, McLean’s finance report shows bi-partisan and diverse support from throughout the city.

Notable donors include business leaders George and Bev Harad, Maggie Soderberg and Scott Simplot, Ed Miller and Teri Stein, and Skip and Esther Oppenheimer; Micron and Centurylink; the Boise Firefighters, Idaho Firefighters, and NW Carpenters, in addition to recent endorsements by Conservation Voters for Idaho and Ada County Realtors.  The report shows donations from noted conservationists, technology entrepreneurs, education advocates and leaders, neighborhood leaders, and notable Democrats and Republicans.

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Morgan Hill
Cell: (208) 398-0207
morgan@lauren-mclean.com

As you know, I will have no opponent in the election for Boise City Council. This good fortune is due to your early support and the impact of the strong campaign work we undertook over the summer. Thank you.

Many are now asking what my plans are for the rest of the election cycle.  I can say it no more clearly than this – there is still a tremendous amount of important work to do to engage with voters and share my vision for the future of Boise.

The fact that I do not have an opponent offers me a rare opportunity that I intend to maximize.

I didn’t choose to lead to win elections. Short-term political victories are not the ultimate goal. Rather, advancing issues and policies that will have a positive impact on this great City is what really matters.

To that end, I’ll keep talking about these things and working hard to make my vision a reality. Boise’s future is too important to sit idly by just because I don’t have an opponent.  In the weeks leading up to the election, I will be talking about Boise’s future – and what it takes to make us a model City in the West, creating a livable community that compares to no other.

My track record speaks for itself.  I’ve worked to protect Boise’s foothills. I’ve worked hard to increase funding for schools. I’ve helped make new bus routes to meet neighborhood needs a reality. I’ve encouraged sustainable growth, community economic centers, urban agriculture and strong arts in Boise’s Comprehensive Plan.

But you and I both know there is much more work to be done. I need your continued help and support to accomplish our shared goal of making Boise the best it can be. So, thank you for all that you’ve done so far, and thank you in advance for all that you will do in the future to help us reach our common objectives.

Please consider volunteering, donating to help me communicate with Boise voters, or place a sign in your yard by using the links at the top right-hand side of the webpage.  And please forward this message to your friends!  Our success in Boise depends on engaging as many residents as we can in our future.

Many thanks,