South Bend council approves gay rights ordinance

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The South Bend City Council has voted in favor of an ordinance extending employment and housing discrimination protection to gays and lesbians.

The council’s 6-3 vote early Tuesday came after nearly five hours of debate and public testimony about the proposal.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg (BOO’-tah-juhj) supported the ordinance, saying its passage was needed to prevent South Bend from being typecast as a prejudiced city and hurting its economic prospects.

The ordinance exempts churches and other religious organizations, but opponents argue it should also exempt individuals and other business owners who believe homosexuality is immoral.

The South Bend Tribune reports several other Indiana cities have similar ordinances and that the South Bend proposal is modeled after an Indianapolis ordinance adopted in 2005.