Bend's anti-discrimination ordinance withstands its first challenge
Associated Press


A new law that makes it illegal to discriminate against gays, lesbians and transgenders in Bend has withstood its first challenge.

Officials say petitioners Dave Eaton and Bill Brackett failed to gather enough valid signatures to refer the ordinance to voters.

Deschutes County Clerk Nancy Blankenship said preliminary results show the petitioners gathered 3,223 valid signatures before their Friday deadlines. That is just shy of the 3,348 signatures required to send the ordinance to voters for approval in November.

The ordinance, which was approved last month, makes it illegal to deny housing, employment, or public accommodations to a person based on their sexual orientation.