San Francisco OK's gay rights measure
San Fran-
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) cisco's supervisors, noting that an estimated one in seven of the city's 680,000 residents is homosexual, have agreed to ban discrimination against homosexuals in employment, housing and public accommodations.
The 10-1 vote on Monday night adds San Francisco, long noted for homosexual community, to more than 40 cities with such bans.
A similar law in Miami was repealed last year after singer Anita Bryant led a
campaign that brought the issue to nationwide attention. Other repeal moves are under way in St. Paul, Minn., Wichita, Kan., and Eugene, Ore.
There was no immediate indication, however, there will be any attempt at repeal in San Francisco.
"All this says is that gay people are OK," said supervisor Gordon Lau after a two-hour debate. "It says, 'If gay people can do the job, hire them; if they can pay the rent, rent to them.' It affirms a basic basic right to be treated as a human being."
Supervisor Dan White cast the only dissenting vote.
Under the ordinance, persons claiming discrimination could file a complaint with the city's Human Rights Commission, sue in the courts for damages or ask the district attorney to initiate action.
Supervisor Harvey Milk, the first admitted homosexual elected to the board, urged his colleagues to "bring into society those people who are locked out. Cease debate and look into history. Every group that was locked out, when brought in, proved helpful."