Omaha, Lincoln chambers of commerce now see value in (LGBT) anti-bias law

X post in LGBT, Labor & GD

http://www.omaha.com/news/legislature/omaha-lincoln-chambers-of-commerce-now-see-value-in-anti/article_942c89d8-76ac-5573-bb7c-d096e68065f1.html

POSTED: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015 12:30 AM
By Paul Hammel / World-Herald Bureau

LINCOLN — After years of being opposed or officially neutral on the issue, two of the state’s largest business groups have come out in support of a bill banning discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce both testified in favor of a proposal last week at the Nebraska Legislature.

Legislative Bill 586 would ban job discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender Nebraskans, and is patterned after an ordinance the City of Omaha passed three years ago.

The shift in position was called a “game changer” by the bill’s sponsor, and was portrayed as reflective of the business community’s growing awareness of how the lack of such anti-bias laws can harm the recruitment and retention of workers in a state that faces labor shortages.

FULL story at link.