Regina LGBT organization wants patio smoking ban exemption, citing safety

The Gay and Lesbian Community of Regina has cited safety for members and the Orlando Pulse shooting in a letter to city council lobbying for an exemption to the proposed patio smoking ban.

In a letter to city council, the group says members of the LGBT community in Regina have "historically faced outright and indirect discrimination in Regina" and it is still a concern in 2017.

• Regina city councillors propose even stricter smoking, vaping bylaw
• Restaurant patios, playgrounds, part of Regina smoking bylaw review

The proposed exemption would be for Q Nightclub and Lounge, located on the 2000 block of Broad Street, and any other facility which may be established by theGLCRin the future.

"In the shadow of the recent Pulse Nightclub massacre in Orlando, FL., the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, we believe that this accommodation is timely, reasonable, and justified," the letter states.

The new bylaw has two exemptions in place for use in traditional Indigenous ceremonies andvapingretail stores.

The letter also notes a smoking exemption in Ontariowhich applies to the patios of the Royal Canadian Legion and other veteran groups.

The new bylaw, if approved, would go into effect on July 15.