The Democratic mayor of Philadelphia has banned city employees from non-essential government travel to cities and states that have passed laws that he deems as being discriminatory toward homosexuals and transsexual persons.
In April, following controversy over North Carolina’s Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act and Mississippi’s Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act, Mayor Jim Kenney was among the officials who decided to issue travel bans for government employees.
“By issuing a non-essential travel ban to those states, we take a stand against bigotry and prejudice happening in those states, and in cities and states nationwide,” he said in a press release. “I will continue to actively welcome any and all people, businesses, organizations and events who no longer feel welcome in their state because of these discriminatory laws.”
“I am announcing this ban in response to the enactment of legislation that infringes the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in these jurisdictions,” Kenney said in a staetment. “I will reconsider this ban if the States of North Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee and the city of Oxford, Alabama choose to repeal their discriminatory legislation.”
Employees may travel for public health or safety reasons upon pre-approval from the Philadelphia managing director’s office. christiannews.net
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