The Phoenix City Council voted to amend the bill to prohibit discrimination against homosexuals

The Phoenix City Council voted to amend the bill to prohibit discrimination against homosexuals. On February 26, after more than five hours of intense debate, the Phoenix City Council voted to pass a bill...

The Phoenix City Council voted to amend the bill to prohibit discrimination against homosexuals. On February 26, after more than five hours of heated debate, the Phoenix City Council voted to pass a bill banning discrimination against gay (including gay and lesbian), bisexual and transgender residents. The bill prohibits anyone from discriminating against homosexuals on the basis of race, gender, occupation, family origin, religious belief, education, nationality, age and marriage. It prohibits anyone (including religious organizations, small private owners, high-end residences, private clubs, etc.) from making any distinction between homosexuals and heterosexuals in housing, employment and public places, including restaurants and hotels. Violators will be fined $2,500. Currently, 166 cities and counties across the United States have passed similar laws. Phoenix is ​​considered a pioneer here. As early as 1992, Phoenix passed a bill that stipulated that any company that has a contract with the city government, or a company with more than 35 employees, is not allowed to discriminate against gay men and women in the workplace. This bill happens to be an extension of the 1992 bill, extending the protection of gay rights to a more comprehensive scope. Although Phoenix Mayor Stanton voted in favor and the city council passed it with a vote of 5:3, this bill has only been implemented in Phoenix. In Arizona, homosexuality is not recognized by the majority of people and the state's law does not recognize gay marriage.