(1) Findings. The city finds that discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, source of income and disability exists within the city. The city finds that discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, source of income and disability poses a substantial threat to the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Eugene. The city further finds that existing state and federal prohibitions against discrimination are not adequate and, therefore, the city deems it necessary and proper to enact a local ordinance to address these issues.

(2) Purpose. The city values the dignity and worth of all human beings and is committed to promoting justice, equity and inclusivity by respecting cultural and individual diversity and fostering mutual understanding among all people regardless of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, source of income, or disability. It is the intent of the city that all people have an equal opportunity to participate fully in the life of the city and that discriminatory barriers to equal participation in employment, housing and public accommodations be removed. The city has a compelling interest in eradicating and preventing discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, source of income, or disability, and in ensuring equal opportunity in employment, housing and public accommodations. These code provisions represent the least restrictive means of achieving the city’s objectives. In furtherance of this policy, the provisions of sections 4.613 to 4.655 of this code shall be broadly construed, consistent with their remedial purpose. The purpose of including familial status, sexual orientation, ethnicity and source of income in these nondiscrimination code provisions is to ensure that people are treated fairly and without regard to these issues in the matters of employment, housing and public accommodations. The inclusion of familial status, sexual orientation, ethnicity and source of income in these code provisions is not intended to and shall not be interpreted to establish or require affirmative action or quotas of any kind.