It is the finding and the intent of the city of Pocatello that no person shall be denied his or her civil rights or be discriminated against based upon his or her actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, age, marital or familial status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression. The Pocatello city council declares that such discrimination prohibitions are necessary and desirable for the following reasons:
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 Pocatello 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 to be public policy of the city of Pocatello that discriminatory 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 citizens of the city of Pocatello are essential to the city's growth, vitality, and prosperity.
C. It is hereby declared that every individual in the city of Pocatello 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.
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 Pocatello. 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 Pocatello for the protection of the public welfare, prosperity, health and peace of the city of Pocatello, 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, gender, 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. 2921, 2013)