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February 08, 2006

Iowa town adds sexual orientation to human rights law

The Dubuque, Iowa, city council has approved the addition of sexual orientation as a protected characteristic under the city's human rights ordinance. The council took less than minute to approve an amendment to the ordinance Monday night. The amendment had been rejected three times by the council since the 1980s.

It provides legal recourse for anyone denied housing, employment, credit, education, or service because of sexual orientation. Judy Haley Giesen, chairwoman of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission, said the council's approval of the amendment was long overdue. "It has been a long journey, with many people working on this diligently," Giesen said. "There's great joy in my heart and also great joy for the gay and lesbian community in the fact that they know they live in a more hospitable city and have equal rights," she said.

The council voted 6–1 to approve the amendment. Councilwoman Pat Cline was the lone no vote. "I believe this belongs in the state legislature," she said. (AP)

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