By a 6-1 vote, the Omaha City Council essentially killed a proposal to put protections for gay and transgender Omahans to a popular vote.
Technically, the council voted to put the measure “on file,” which means it could be brought back any time. However, the vote makes it unlikely that a measure to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity would be placed on the ballot.
Council member Franklin Thompson proposed the public vote and abstained on an ordinance that would have given gays protection against discrimination. Thompson would have been the swing vote on the ordinance.
Tuesday, he said supporters of protections for gays need to be better organized next time they raise the issue.
“It really was an amateur effort,” he said. “Make sure you know what you’re doing before you take it before the council.”
Supporters said they are pursuing other avenues to achieve their goals.
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