Ours thanks to the Fountain Hills Councilmembers who voted to place a LGBTQ nondiscrimination policy discussion on a future council meeting agenda.

While a nondiscrimination ordinance may be premature, we urge citizens and business owners to consider the benefits of a unity pledge similar to the ones adopted by multiple municipalities across our state.

For business owners, there is much to gain by supporting such a pledge. LGBTQ Americans collectively spend nearly $830 billion each year in the U.S. Yet, according to a 2013 Center for American Progress report, workplace discrimination against LGBTQ individuals costs businesses $64 billion annually.

Highly successful companies -- and the municipalities that seek to attract them -- clearly recognize that it is both socially right and economically prudent to support equality for LGBTQ Americans and their families.

Organizations with a presence in Fountain Hills that have already signed Arizona’s ONE Community LGBTQ nondiscrimination pledge include Petsmart, State Farm, Safeway, St. Mary’s Food Bank, United Way, Mayo and Scottsdale Health.

And in Scottsdale, where a unity pledge recently passed, business owners and citizens are free to sign or not to sign the pledge. Churches and private clubs are exempt by law from such policies.

Also, while the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment should be enough; alas, it is not. In Arizona, individuals may be fired or refused housing or hospitality simply based on who they are. We must take further protective action to achieve a truly open and inclusive community.

A special thanks to Councilmember Ginny Dickey for her service on the Town Council and her work in helping to bring this important topic to the council’s attention.

We look forward to open-minded consideration and discussion of an appropriate nondiscrimination policy for our town at a future Town Council meeting.