The creation of an anti-discrimination ordinance in the City of Butler will be up for a vote tonight, six years after it was first introduced.
The ordinance was initially proposed to Butler City Council by PFLAG- Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays- in 2011. The gist of the legislation is to ensure that all persons are afforded equal opportunities for employment, housing and the use of public accommodations- regardless of their race, color, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
Councilwoman Kathy Kline is a supporter and plans to make a motion at tonight’s meeting.
“This is just something that ensures everyone is treated fairly,” Kline said during an interview. “I think if we’re a community, we have to be inclusive.”
Some city residents and business owners are against the ordinance, concerned it would limit business and religious freedoms.
Mayor Tom Donaldson has been very vocal in his opposition, calling the ordinance in a memo Thursday morning “not necessary.” He said he believes the issue is taking the place of other problems, including finding a way to cut $1 million from the city’s fire department fund, to lower real estate and business privilege taxes and to once again pay to pave city streets every year.
“This is what we are here for, not to go around trying to make everything all warm and fuzzy for everyone,” Donaldson’s statement reads.
Butler City Council will meet at 7 p.m. tonight inside the Butler City Building on West North Street.
