Mesa residents testify in support of non-discrimination ordinance

Several Mesa residents told the City Council April 21 they support the city's non-discrimination ordinance and urged continued protection for transgender and LGBT residents.

The comments, offered during the meeting’s public-comment period, emphasized individual stories and the practical benefits of a local enforcement mechanism for civil-rights protections.

Rebecca Temp, a District 2 resident, described friends with differences in sex development and said gender identity should be determined by the individuals themselves. "I believe that transgender citizens and transgender individuals are worthwhile and they are valid people and they deserve our respect and our protection," Rebecca said. She identified herself as a local dentist and said she supports the city's ordinance because it provides protections she views as important for community members.

Eric McDonald, a long-time Mesa resident and managing shareholder at a local law firm, thanked the council for adopting the non-discrimination ordinance (NDO) in past years and said it has made Mesa safer and more inclusive. He said constitutional or state remedies can be slow and costly, and that the NDO provides a local enforcement option that can resolve issues without federal litigation. "That's why we need a more local enforcement mechanism," McDonald said, adding that the NDO encourages businesses to act fairly without imposing on churches, schools and closely held private businesses as described in his remarks.

These were public comments; no council action was taken during the comment period reflected in the transcript.