PITTSTON - City council made history Tuesday, voting unanimously to pass an ordinance to ensure equal opportunities for employment, housing and public accommodation and equal access to post-secondary educational institutions regardless of one's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Pittston became the first municipality to pass such legislation in Luzerne County.
The ordinance states its purpose as ensuring fair and equal treatment of all individuals, and not as favoring one lifestyle over another.
In addition to fostering equality, the ordinance will create the Pittston City Human Relations Commission, which will investigate alleged violations of the ordinance.
City administrator Joe Moskovitz said although the ordinance is not a religious issue, the administration respects the concerns of the religious community.
"We're very sensitive to the religious issues that are raised within this legislation," Mr. Moskovitz said. "(We) cannot be deaf to that."
Despite these concerns, Mr. Moskovitz hopes some of the city's clergy members will serve on the commission, and he is confident in the council's decision.
"It's the right legislation at the right time," he said.