LITTLE ROCK — A Northwest Arkansas city will continue enforcing a measure banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender orientation despite a state law taking effect aimed at prohibiting such ordinances.
Eureka Springs Mayor Robert "Butch" Berry said Tuesday that his city will continue enforcing the measure prohibiting discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The city's voters in May approved keeping the ordinance, rejecting an attempt to repeal it.
A new state law taking effect Wednesday bars cities and counties from banning discrimination on a basis not covered in state law. Arkansas' civil-rights law doesn't include sexual orientation or gender identity.
Berry said the city's attorneys agree with the argument that the ordinance is still legal since protections for LGBT people are included in other state laws.