LAFAYETTE, Ind. (UPI) -- Lafayette has become the first Indiana city
to have an ordinance for protecting gay rights.
	The ordinance passed 5-4 Monday night after an hour of heated
discussion. City Council President Ron Corbett, who votes only to break
ties, cast the deciding vote. The regulation has little legal power, but
it lets the city's Human Relations Commission investigate discrimination
complaints over sexual orientation.
	Speakers and council members on both sides of the issue drew boos and
hisses during the hour-long discussion preceding the vote. The proposal
has created divisiveness in the city of about 40,000 people for six
months. The ordinance was introduced by Councilman Jerry Ledbetter,
whose son Greg is gay.
	Earlier this year opponents submitted a petition bearing more than 3,
000 signatures. The councilman said that was all the more reason for his
ordinance.
	Councilman Ron Campbell said he voted against the ordinance because
he thinks it will bring unforeseen problems, including concern about how
a non-elected group such as the commission can enforce it.
	Councilwoman Linda Timmons said elected officials represent all
people.
	``If Jesus were here tonight, I have to think what he would do, and
he would vote for all people to be treated equally,'' she said.