This isn’t the first time the St. Paul City Council or the city’s voters have had to deal with the gay rights issue. Back in 1978 existing language in the city’s human rights code that prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual preference was removed during a referendum on the issue. In 1988 voters turned town a charter amendment that would not have allowed human rights measures to be subject to initiative or referendum. Those opposed to that charter amendment said that it was an attempt to create a gay rights ordinance. This year council members will be asked to approve an amendment to the city’s human rights code that would ban discrimination against homosexuals in the areas of housing, employment, education, public services or public accommodation.