Mesquite Council Approves Change To EEO Policy

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MESQUITE (1080 KRLD) - The Mesquite city council has voted to approve a change to the city's Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The change would make, sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy a protected classes under the policy's definition of sex. But some that spoke to the council...says the city doesn't need such a change.

"This type of language has already been used in Houston and was used to attack religious freedom and free speech" said one opponent. "It would allow men into women's bathrooms on all city property including  city parks,  libraries, and government buildings."

Yet those in support of the policy change say this has nothing to do with bathrooms.

"This ordinance is about complying with Federal law" said one supporter. "This ordinance encompases the same fundamental rights gauranteed by our United States Constitution."

The council said the policy was necessary to bring Mesquite into line with federal law, that covers the LGBT community under the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection.

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