A. In order to ensure that all persons, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression enjoy the full benefits of citizenship and are afforded equal opportunities for employment, housing, commercial property, and the use of public accommodations, the city of Coeur d'Alene has determined that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression must be addressed, and appropriate legislation enacted.
B. It is hereby declared that every individual in the city of Coeur d'Alene has the right to work and earn wages through gainful employment, has the right to seek housing, and has the right to enjoy public accommodation and hospitality.
C. It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the city of Coeur d'Alene to foster the employment of all individuals in accordance with their abilities. Every individual has the right to work and earn wages through gainful employment. Discriminatory employment practices are detrimental because they impede the social and economic progress of a city by preventing all of the city's citizens from contributing to the cultural, spiritual, social, and commercial life of the community. The contributions of all the citizens of the city of Coeur d'Alene are essential to the city's growth, vitality, and prosperity.
D. It is the intent of this chapter that all persons be treated fairly and equally, and it is the express intent of this chapter to guarantee fair and equal treatment under the law to all people in the city of Coeur d'Alene. The denial of fair and equal treatment under the law due to sexual orientation or gender identity/expression is detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the city's citizens, and damages a city's economic well being.
E. This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the city of Coeur d'Alene for the protection of the public welfare, prosperity, health and peace of the city of Coeur d'Alene, its residents and the community.
F. The prohibitions against discriminatory acts as provided for in this chapter are intended to supplement state and federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination in the areas of employment, public accommodations, and housing. For complaints alleging discrimination on a basis proscribed under state or federal law (e.g., race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, and/or disability) the complainant is advised of his or her right to file a report alleging a violation of Idaho Code section 18-7301 et seq., and/or his or her right to file a complaint with the Idaho commission on human rights and/or the federal equal employment opportunity commission pursuant to title VII of the civil rights act of 1964 as amended, the fair housing act of 1968 as amended, or the Americans with disabilities act of 1990 as amended. (Ord. 3466, 2013)