Pilot Editorial: Standing up for what's right

It was standing-room only last week at Whitefish City Hall as a dozen people courageously stepped forward to speak about why our community should take a stand to protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

True to Whitefish’s spirit of inclusion for all, a myriad of voices were cast in support of a city non-discrimination law. Nobody spoke against.

City Council rightly responded with an unanimous vote of approval that was met with a standing ovation.

We agree with Councilor Andy Feury when he says the non-discrimination law doesn’t change who or what we are as a community.

“But we did make a change by codifying something that we all know is right,” he added.

All Whitefish residents should be treated fairly and be protected from discrimination in the areas of employment, public accommodations and housing, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Councilor Frank Sweeney, who spearheaded the effort to craft the law, described his vote most appropriately.

“This sends a message to the world that we do not tolerate or condone hate,” Sweeney said.

More to the point, it sends a message to the state Legislature that Whitefish is among a growing number of communities who believe everyone should have equal opportunity to work and live in Montana free from discrimination.

While the state does have a Human Rights Act, it falls short of protecting all residents. Attempts to extend those same protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals have been unsuccessful in the Montana Legislature.

Yet, Bozeman, Billings, Helena, Butte, Missoula, and now Whitefish, all have passed non-discrimination laws — it’s due time these protections of basic civil rights be extended statewide.

We applaud Council for being bold in sending that message to the state Capitol and standing up for what’s right.