SAN FRANCISCO, June 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. San Francisco Mayor London Breed on Tuesday introduced new legislation to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors that repeals 12E of the Administrative Code, which prohibits the city from inquiring into "sexual orientation, practices, or habits" of city employees.
The City and County of San Francisco is the largest employer in San Francisco, with approximately 37,000 employees who reflect the vibrant and diverse populations of the region. Yet, while the city and county collects certain anonymous demographic information from applicants for city employment, little is known about applicants or the city workforce regarding LGBTQ identities.
The amendment to the code will allow the Department of Human Resources to collect voluntary and anonymous sexual orientation demographics from city employees and applicants, the announcement said.
"As we celebrate Pride month in San Francisco, it's important that we step back and ensure that we're doing everything we can to live up to our values, and that includes hiring and retaining a diverse workforce that reflects our community," said Breed.
"This section of our Administrative Code was originally designed in a different era to protect LGBTQ employees from discrimination and harassment, but it has now outlived its purpose. With this change, we'll be able to look at the data and make any changes needed in our hiring practices," she added.
"I am grateful for Mayor London Breed's leadership and partnership on this new legislation that will help San Francisco more effectively identify, measure, and address the needs of our LGBTQ City employees and applicants," said City Supervisor Rafael Mandelman.
"The legislation will allow for the Department of Human Resources to better track our citywide equity goals, address gaps, and identify strategies to recruit LGBTQ employees interested in public service," he said.
This policy change will give the city important data on LGBTQ workforce and help identify potential barriers to city employment and advancement, according to the city's Human Resources Director Carol Isen. Enditem
