The policy prohibits bias on the basis of sexual orientation.
Supporters said the ordinance was similar to those approved in 200 other cities and prohibited bias in housing, employment, city contracting and business services for 15 protected classes, including race, age, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Republicans asked for a roll call, and Democrats, as the majority party, prevailed, 5 to 3. The measure would affirm that the government's employment policy prohibits bias against gays in the workplace and is directed at Bush appointee Scott J. Bloch, the head of the Office of Special Counsel, who has refused to enforce the policy based on his reading of civil service law.
The couple was protected by the Washington Law Against Discrimination, which prohibits bias based on sexual orientation, the court ruled.
In terms of career choices and advancement, access to political office or community leadership, members of ethnic minorities may find their participation in society limited - even where there are laws prohibiting bias and exclusion.
In October this year, USAID – the US government agency providing economic and humanitarian assistance around the world – announced that it "strongly encourages" businesses contracted with USAID to go beyond non-discrimination protections, to prohibit job bias for LGBT employees and other workers.
Researchers who conduct animal studies often don't use simple safeguards such as analyzing outcomes in a blinded manner, randomizing animals to groups, indicating conflict-of-interest statements, and calculating appropriate sample size to prohibit potential biases.
This paper studies the extent to which a policy prohibiting biased mechanisms is effective in achieving fair outcomes.
"The Constitution prohibits racially biased prosecutorial arguments," Sotomayor said, later adding that the prosecutor's comments "tapped a deep and sorry vein of racial prejudice that has run through the history of criminal justice in our nation".
All research found had considerable risk of bias, prohibiting firm conclusions.
