NEPTUNE BEACH | The Neptune Beach City Council voting unanimously Monday night approved a resolution amending the city's personnel policy so it bans discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The resolution changes the city's personnel policy to add "sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and marital status" to its non-discrimination list. It applies only to city of Neptune Beach employees, and the city's personnel practices.

It states Neptune Beach "wants to [ensure] that it continues to not discriminate against anyone because of their sexual orientation and identification."

"I think Neptune Beach has something to be proud of," Mayor Harriet Pruette said immediately after the measure's approval as the audience, filling much of the City Council chamber, broke into applause.

During the public comment section, five people urged the council to approve the resolution while three others spoke against it.

"This is the right thing to do. Nobody should be treated like a second-class citizen," Marcelle Bessman of Jacksonville told the council.

David Baker of Neptune Beach, however, said the resolution was unnecessary.

The city of Jacksonville Beach has a similar personnel policy, but it doesn't mention gender identity or expression.

The Neptune Beach resolution is the most recent measure by its council that is intended, Pruette said, to emphasize that Neptune Beach is a welcoming community.

"This is the right thing to do. Neptune Beach did the right thing," Pruette said of the resolution and City Council's action.

On April 7, the council passed a resolution supporting state legislation banning discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Meanwhile, the Atlantic Beach City Commission is trying to hammer out a potential human rights ordinance intended to prohibit discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people living and working within the city limits.

The Atlantic Beach commission will hold a workshop about the proposed ordinance at 5 p.m., June 19, at City Hall, 800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach.

Teresa Stepzinski: (904) 359-4075