Nebraska: Omaha Man Arrested For Stealing/Burning Rainbow Flag

Twenty-three year old Cameron Mayfield of Omaha, Nebraska has been arrested for stealing a neighbors rainbow flag and burning it in the street.

Via Gay Star News:

Ariann Anderson and Jess Meadows-Anderson, a married couple who live next door, said it went 'beyond vandalism or a threat' as it was a 'direct attack'.

'It's just a reminder that hate is still out there,' they said.

The two women woke up just after midnight on Sunday morning (1 March), believing their home was being burglarized.

When Meadows-Anderson rushed downstairs to check on their two girls, her wife saw a van drive off.

When they woke up again, they went to a window to see a man running down the street with what looked like a burning stick.

They then both realized he was burning their rainbow flag.

'You almost feel bad for a minute,' Meadows-Anderson told WOWT. 'He's a young man and he made a hate-filled, drunken mistake that will have a lasting effect on his life and his family.'

Later that day, a new, bigger, brighter Pride flag was flying on their front porch.

Mayfield is facing a 2nd degree felony arson charge and a separate charge for resisting arrest.

Omaha: Straight man beaten standing up for his gay friends

Ryan Langenegger left bloody after standing up for his gay friends

Ryan Langenegger, a straight man in Omaha, was punched, beaten and left with a bloody gash and chipped teeth for standing up for his gay friends.

KMTV has the story:

Out with two of his gay friends in the Old Market Saturday night, they decided to grab a bite at PepperJax Bar and Grill.

Inside a group of three guys started to verbally harass his friends. Ryan said, to avoid confrontation they left PepperJax.

The three men followed them outside.

"My friend then said, yes, I know I'm a boy in a dress. After that he said, "yes I know", some "colorful words" and disgusting. I said hey guys, we're not looking for any trouble, just trying to get home. Just trying to get home", said Langenegger.

Ryan stepped forward and tried to stop the incident. Instead he took a hard blow to the face.

"It's sad, it's really sad, disgusting. It just makes no sense this day and age and in Omaha, for all of this stuff to still be happening and out in the streets."

A police report was filed but the attackers were long gone by the time police arrived at the scene of the attack.  However, surveillance video and credit card records may end up identifying them.

Check out the news report at KMTV.

Omaha mayor signs ordinance banning LGBT employment discrimination

Mayor Jim Suttle on Thursday signed the “Equal Omaha” ordinance, a measure that would prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Local groups who oppose the new law said they’re not backing down from trying to get it repealed or rescinded.

“To think somehow we don’t care for them or think they should have less rights, that’s not what we’re saying. But at the same time, don’t trample on, don’t walk on our first amendment rights.  By granting special rights to one group, the city is taking rights from another,” said James Patterson, senior pastor at Trinity Hope Foursquare Church.

I can only assume the pastor means his right to discriminate is being taken away.

Proponents of the ordinance are happy the fight is over for now.

“Today, I can say, we are Nebraska, we are Omaha and we are proud to be here,” said Michael Gordon of Equal Omaha.

The Omaha city council approved the controversial ordinance earlier this week — the law is scheduled to take effect on March 28.

Omaha passes LGBT employment protections

From The Republic.com: The Omaha City Council has just approved a city law by a vote of 4-3 protecting LGBT people from employment discrimination.

The proposal, put forward by Councilman Ben Gray, would apply to employers, employment agencies, job training programs, labor groups, public accommodations and businesses that contract with the city. It also would provide exemptions for religious organizations.

A similar proposal failed to pass in October 2010 on a 3-3 vote. Nebraska's anti-discrimination laws and federal regulations don't extend protection to gay and transgender people.

The Human Right Campaign reacts via press release.

“Omaha is a world class city that now joins the ranks of other major American cities standing strong for fairness,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “The city council should be proud for affirming the principle that what matters is how you do your job, not who you are.” HRC is proud to have partnered with Equal Omaha in advocating for the ordinance. The organization activated its local members and supporters as well as provided local leaders with strategic advice and financial support. HRC also provided data from its workplace project that shows 86 percent of Fortune 500 companies have their own policies against sexual orientation non-discrimination and nearly half cover gender identity."