Fayetteville voters ratify anti-discrimination measure

Fayetteville, Ark. (AP) — Unofficial election results show Fayetteville residents have ratified an ordinance that bans discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports final but unofficial results from the Washington County Election Commission show 52.8 percent of voters Tuesday cast ballots in favor of the ordinance.

The vote makes Fayetteville the fifth Arkansas municipality to test a new state law prohibiting local ordinances that ban discrimination on a basis not contained in state law. Arkansas' civil rights law doesn't include protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people, but supporters of the local ordinances say other state laws do.

Fayetteville voters overturned a similar ordinance last year. This version includes wider exemptions for churches, religious organizations and schools.

Little Rock, Pulaski County, Hot Springs and Eureka Springs passed similar measures. The state attorney general calls them unenforceable.

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The Gayly – September 9, 2015 @ 8:25am.