LGBT Community Opposed to Human Rights Advisory Council

An ordinance that would create a Human Rights Advisory Council in Cheyenne is meeting opposition from the LGBT community.

The Cheyenne Non-Discrimination Task Force has been organizing all summer around a non-discrimination ordinance that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the protected classes.

Jeran Artery, Chairman of Wyoming Equality, says while he appreciates the City Council's efforts to do something, an Advisory Council is not the right thing to do.

"It sounds pretty good on paper, but in reality it doesn't really do anything," said Artery.  "It would create this council to look into discrimination complaints and what not and we already have that. We know that there is a real need for the other ordinance because discrimination is happening."

Councilwoman Annette Williams agrees with Artery and has called the Advisory Council a, "Band-Aid." She plans to introduce an LGBT non-discrimination ordinance, similar to the one the Laramie City Council passed in May, sometime this fall.

The City Council's Public Services Committee will hear public input on the Human Rights Advisory Council issue at noon on September 9.