Will Victor’s non-discrimination ordinance boost tourism?

After much debate, Victor has become the latest Idaho town to pass a non-discrimination ordinance.

The ordinance, which took effect June 16, prohibits Victor businesses from discriminating against people on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Councilman Jeff Potter, who championed the ordinance, said it’s crucial to attracting tourists to the town.

“We get a lot of tourists in our community, and so all of those tourists need to feel comfortable in our city visiting, patronizing restaurants, hotels,” said Potter.

Potter also said the ordinance could reduce the number of suicides that occur in Victor.

“Our community is one of the — has one of the highest rates in the nation of teen suicides, and a lot of that is directly attributable to discrimination and persecution that those kids receive dealing with their sexuality,” said Potter.