Scottsdale’s proposed anti-discrimination LGBT ban stalls

A proposed Scottsdale ordinance banning discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents is done for now.

Mayor Jim Lane says a big sticking point was the perception of discrimination. Another was differences in legislation.

“One of the problems the city of Scottsdale [had], and frankly anyone who’s concerned about additional regulations, is having different regulations from town to town,” he said.

Phoenix and Tempe are two Valley cities that have passed anti-LGBT discrimination ordinances. Similar ordinances in Mesa and Glendale have stalled.

A third reason the negotiations broke down, however, was an exemption. Scottsdale businesses with fewer than 16 employees would not have had to abide by the ordinance. Roughly 86 percent of Scottsdale businesses would have qualified for the exemption.

Federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, age, sex, religion, disability and some other factors. As of now, sexual orientation and gender identity remain unprotected classes.

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