Olympia’s First Gay Rights Law – By Anna Schlecht
In 1986, Olympia was not the gay-friendly place we know today. At best, gay folks found little pockets where we felt safe in our jobs and homes and found acceptance. But there were no legal protections against discrimination . . . After a short series of meetings, the gay rights ordinance was drafted. Mayor Daley met with everyone else on the City Council to make sure they all supported it before he brought it forward for a public hearing and a vote . . . the night of the public hearing came. I knew it might get a little nasty when I saw a church bus pull up in the parking lot. The Council Chambers were filled, with many people standing in the back. And although it was hard to tell who was for or against gay rights, it seemed to be evenly split.