Omaha Narrowly Passes Antidiscrimination Ordinance 

The Omaha, Neb. City Council voted 4-3 approving an ordinance which would protect LGBT residents against bias based on sexual orientation, and gender identity on Tuesday.

The bill, which failed to pass in October 2010, drew hundreds of concerned citizens for and against the ordinance to city council meetings. The ordinance would apply to "employers, employment agencies, job training programs, labor groups, public accommodations" and businesses contracted by the city, according to the Associated Press.

Mayor Jim Suttle said he would sign the bill into law if the city council passed it.

"Omaha is a city that welcomes diversity, embraces fresh ideas and is open for business to everyone," Suttle said, according to the AP. "Allowing discrimination in our city is wrong-for our citizens and our businesses."

Reuters reports that an opponent of the ordinance is threatening a legal or legislative challenge to the new ordinance.