"We want to continue to work with the city and community that has been our goal from the very beginning."Īlso the city of Flagstaff has a GLBT OFFICIALLY recognized and sanction day of celebration: "At the festival, newly-elected Flagstaff Mayor Sara Presler-Hoefle had issued a proclamation declaring that day Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Day in the city of Flagstaff calling 'upon all city residents, employees and volunteers to participate in the spirit and activities of this day.'" "I think this a step in the right direction," Friedmann said.īut Friedmann said her goal is to eventually have a citywide ordinance to help protect the GLBT community from discrimination in the workplace, housing and other public arenas. Sarah Friedmann, a local organizer for Equality Arizona, said the council decision was a good first step. "I think, overall, their decision is something we can live with and support," Dorman said. Senior Pastor Jim Dorman of Christ's Church of Flagstaff said he was happy with the nonbinding resolution. City officials have no complaints on record since the policy was enacted. The city has had a policy protecting employees from discrimination because of their sexual orientation for several years. City Manager Kevin Burke said that language in the resolution would result in the addition of gender identity as a protected class in terms of employment policies at the city. One part of the resolution that would result in a specific change in personnel rules affects only the city of Flagstaff's internal policies. Haughey was not convinced."I am concerned we have left some folks out," Haughey said. The new resolution of inclusion mentions more than a dozen groups, including those based on age, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, martial status, veteran status, familial status, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation and physical characteristics. "We don't care if you are an alien from another planet, you are welcome here," Haughey said of the 2006 resolution. It was deliberately non-specific so as not to leave anyone out. The only dissent on the resolution came from Councilmember Joe Haughey, who pointed out that he helped to write the original resolution of inclusion in 2006. "I don't feel ordinance would be appropriate right now." "I hope it will be a middle ground between these two groups," Brewster said. Councilmember Karla Brewster said the resolution was a fair compromise.