Wasco County Court Unanimously Approves Anti-Discrimination Ordinance

Wasco County answers moral call to treat all it's residents with fairness and dignity--barring discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity

(Portland, Oregon) Today the Wasco County Court voted unanimously to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

In doing so, Wasco County becomes the 13th Oregon community to ban discrimination in employment practices, housing, and public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“Today is a proud day for Wasco County,” said Brian Stahl, a resident of The Dalles who was active in the effort to pass the ordinance. “We believe every resident should be given equal opportunity to live, work and thrive, without fearing the sting of discrimination.”

Stahl credits the Court’s unanimous vote to the diverse backing the ordinance received from the community. Those supporting the measure include local PFLAG members (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), Wasco County citizens for Human Dignity, and a large cross-section of faith, community leaders and business leaders – including The Dalles Chamber of Commerce Board, who wrote a letter to the Court endorsing the ordinance.

The Oregon Legislature recently passed a statewide anti-discrimination law. However, the future of that statewide law is still uncertain. Opposition groups are collecting signatures in an attempt to overturn it, as well as Oregon’s new law creating family security through Domestic Partnerships for same-gender couples. Should enough signatures be collected, implementation of both statewide laws would be put on hold until after the November, 2008 Election.

“It’s a shame that some still want to divide Oregonians rather than uniting us. But today’s victory in Wasco County proves that we truly are one Oregon. Whether we live in an urban or rural area, Wasco County or Washington County, we share the common value of fairness,” said John Hummel, Executive Director of Basic Rights Oregon.

He continued, “Basic Rights Oregon applauds the Wasco County Court for their bold move toward equality for all, and the good people of Wasco County who worked so hard to educate others about the need to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”

Linda Stahl, who together with her husband Brian is featured in a new statewide project called 50 Voices for Equality at www.50VoicesForEquality.com, summed up the local reaction to the ordinance’s passage: “The people who live here, raise families here, and go to church here simply want our community’s laws to reflect our value of fairness for all.”

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 3:11 PM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.