A. It is declared to be the policy of the city, in the exercise of its police powers pursuant to its city charter and self- governing authority for the protection of the public health, safety, and general welfare, and for the maintenance of peace and good government, to assure civil rights and opportunity to all persons, free from restrictions and discrimination because of 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, or gender identity and/or expression.
B. In addition to the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, age, marital or familial status, physical or mental disability, the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or expression is hereby recognized as and hereby declared to be a civil right. Adding such discrimination prohibitions on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation and/or gender identity or expression to the city's laws is necessary and desirable because existing state and federal laws regarding discrimination do not adequately address all potential discriminatory practices that may impact the city's diverse inhabitants and visitors.
C. The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed for accomplishment of its policies and purposes; provided that, however, nothing in this chapter is intended to alter or abridge other rights, protections, or privileges secured by state or federal law, including state and federal constitutional protections of freedom of speech, freedom of association, and exercise of religion or to infringe upon or alter the authority vested by law in the Montana human rights commission, the federal equal employment opportunity commission, or any other federal or state agency having jurisdiction over civil rights and discriminatory practices.
D. Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated section 7-1-111(3), the provisions of this chapter do not apply to or affect the public school system.
E. The recognition of religious liberty and the rights of freedom of association and expression is necessary to balance the civil rights of all residents of the city; as such, provisions with this chapter related to fraternal, charitable, and religious organizations are intended to ensure a balanced approach to protecting civil rights of all citizens of the city so that the protections afforded by this chapter do not unreasonably impede upon a fraternal, charitable, or religious organization's ability to engage in activities protected by law or to disseminate its preferred views. (Ord. 16-07, 4-5-2016)