Cheyenne City Council to Consider Non-Discrimination Resolution

The Cheyenne City Council is expected to vote on a non-discrimination resolution when it meets on October 24.

Mayor Rick Kaysen says the resolution will be introduced at Monday night's council meeting and the Committee of the Whole will take public comment on it on October 19.

"This is a resolution that addresses and states that any type of discriminatory practices are not acceptable in Cheyenne," said Kaysen. "I've worked very closely with the Wyoming Equality group for several months on this and we've come down now to agreeable language in the resolution."

It should be noted that this is not an ordinance which would become city law, it's merely a statement identifying the city's belief that discrimination of any kind is not acceptable.

"If somebody believes they have been discriminated against, the City of Cheyenne is not a body or a vehicle for recourse," said Kaysen. "At the federal level there are laws, at the state level there are certain laws as well, but this one is a little different because it states the position of the city government."

If the council passes the resolution, Kaysen says it won't "change anything specifically for the City of Cheyenne government."

"Within our personnel policy rules and regulations we have it identified that discrimination, harassment, bullying, those types of things are not acceptable by our employees to one another or to the public," said Kaysen. "Likewise, when the city enters into a contract with a vendor, consultant or someone to do work they must abide by those same standards."

"This (the resolution) broadens it somewhat so that it's not acceptable community-wide," Kaysen added.

Council members Bryan Cook, Richard Johnson, Scott Roybal, Jeff White and Annette Williams are sponsoring the resolution.

_________________________

The resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS, diversity is a critical component of a thriving, successful municipality; WHEREAS, in today’s world, discrimination occurs far too often on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, family status, veteran status, disability, marital status or source of income. Discrimination is wrong and presents a stumbling block to the pursuit of full equality;
WHEREAS, tolerance and acceptance will strengthen Cheyenne as a community, deepening bonds between neighbors and fostering a welcoming environment;
WHEREAS, a commitment to diversity will enhance the local economy, creating a positive-forward thinking environment that will help attract business and create jobs;
WHEREAS, to further these goals, the City of Cheyenne is in the process of modifying its own internal and personnel policies to additionally prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity;
WHEREAS, the city of Cheyenne will support a comprehensive state law that addresses hiring, housing and accommodation to prevent discrimination against LGBT employees and citizens and their families; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Cheyenne, in regular session duly assembled, it is the policy of the City to reject discrimination of any kind and to respect the inherent worth of every person, with regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, family status, veteran status, disability, marital status, or source of income.
DATED this __th day of ___, 2016. CITY OF CHEYENNE, WYOMING ____________________________________ Richard L. Kaysen, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________________ Carol Intlekofer, City Clerk