Chicago OKs Bitterly Fought Rights Bill

The City Council Wednesday approved a human rights ordinance that has been at the center of a bitter fight between homosexuals and religious leaders.

The ordinance, defeated twice before, prohibits discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation, race, color, religion, gender, disability, age, national origin, ancestry, military discharge status, parental status or occupation.

The latest version was introduced by Acting Mayor Eugene Sawyer, who lobbied to overcome strong opposition from many religious leaders, including black fundamentalists and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.

The archdiocese on Wednesday expressed disappointment over the 28-17 passage of the ordinance.

“Although the Archdiocese of Chicago supports the effort to reaffirm and secure civil rights for all persons, the archdiocese did not support this particular ordinance and remains concerned that its wording may be construed to provide acceptance or approval of homosexual acts and may not provide adequate protection for the rights of religious groups in the practice of their beliefs,” the diocese statement said.