Cheyenne Anti-Discrimination Resolution Gets Majority In Poll

Just under 60 percent of those responding to a Townsquare Media of Cheyenne online poll conducted over the weekend supported an anti-discrimination resolution being considered by the Cheyenne City Council.

The poll is a non-scientific survey and was open to anyone who had an opinion on the subject rather than being broken down demographically to reflect either the overall population of Cheyenne or the pool of likely voters. Voting was also not limited geographically to Laramie County residents.

However, respondents could only answer the survey once from a given IP address, unlike some online polls which allow people to answer multiple times.

A total of 377 people answered the survey conducted on the websites and facebook pages of radio stations KGAB-AM, 101.9 KING-FM, AND 106.3 Cowboy Country FM.

The survey results found 59.9 percent of those responding supporting the resolution, 37.17 percent voting no on the proposal and around 3.25 percent expressing no opinion.

The proposed resolution would not change any laws.

But Sara Burlingame of Wyoming Equality says its importance is more than symbolic because it calls on the Wyoming Legislature to pass a statewide anti-discrimination bill that would protect LGBT people from job and housing discrimination.

She says a similar bill was narrowly defeated in the 2015 legislature in part because lawmakers didn't think most state residents supported the measure.

Here is the resolution that is being considered:

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