(Washington, D.C.) Good news for gays and lesbians in one city, but a rejection in another. Peoria, Illinois city council has voted to amend its Human Rights ordinance to include sexuality, but the city council in Colorado Springs, Colorado has terminated same-sex partner benefits for city workers.

Peoria council voted 8 - 3 to add sexuality to the city's human rights ordinance.  The law will protect gays and lesbians, along with other minorities, against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. 

A conservative taxpayers group opposed the inclusion.  Brad Dunham of Coalition of Concerned Citizens, said the ordinance means council has "put its stamp of approval and validate a certain chosen lifestyle."

But, councilman Clyde Gulley, said that while he is opposed to homosexuality, he voted for the ordinance because it was a matter of basic fairness.

In Colorado Springs, just four months after voting to give domestic partners of city workers the same benefits it gives the spouses of its heterosexual employees, council voted 8 - 1 to repeal the plan.

Councilman Richard Skorman, was the lone dissenting vote. Before the vote he offered his $6,200 council salary and more to cover the annual expense, which this year is costing the city $6,700 for seven employees.

Gay lobbyist David Sellon II offered to pay for a second year, and the Rev. Nori Rost said her congregation at Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church would cover a third.

Colorado Springs is home to anti gay Focus on the Family   

"I don't understand why we're doing this now," Skorman said. "We're elected officials who care about people. We're not elected officials who care about votes ... because that's what we're saying here, if we do this today.

"I'm ashamed, and I think we all need to be."

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