Protections for homosexuals closer to reality in Davenport

There was heated debate among alderman and scriptures read by citizens as the Davenport City Council moved closer to protecting sexual preference from discrimination with a gay rights ordinance. The vote was 7-3 in favor of approval on the first reading of the ordinance to amend the city’s civil rights code to include sexual orientation as a protected class. Alderman George Nicholas questions the protection the provision would create. He says it doesn’t protect short people or fat people or a lot of other people who have no civil rights rights per se.Alderman Roland Caldwell says the city needs to send a message of tolerance to the community.The second and final reading is also expected to pass in two weeks. Ames, Cedar Rapids & Iowa City have similar city ordinances.