Gray to amend bias proposal (request of the Omaha Archdiocese exempt religious organizations)

http://www.omaha.com/article/20101022/NEWS01/710229844/1009#gray-to-amend-bias-proposal

By Maggie O’Brien
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Published Friday October 22, 2010

Omaha City Councilman Ben Gray said Friday that he has “reluctantly” agreed to exempt religious organizations from his proposal to give gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people new protections against discrimination.
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Gray said he decided to amend the proposal at the request of the Omaha Archdiocese. He said he believes the measure, which the council is scheduled to vote on Tuesday, would have failed without the exemption.

“Without that amendment, I don’t think it would get through,” Gray said.

Gray’s proposal would affect Omaha employers, employment agencies and labor organizations and apply to every city contract. Under the ordinance, employers could not use someone’s status to reach decisions on hiring, firing or pay.

Deacon Timothy F. McNeil, chancellor of the Omaha Archdiocese, said Friday that church officials were pleased Gray had agreed to the amendment.

But the archdiocese still believes such policies are best left up to private businesses — not governments — and would not support the ordinance, McNeil said.

FULL story at link.