In the absence of federal anti-discrimination legislation on the basis of sexual orientati/gender identity (SOGI) and since only 18 states have passed such protections...with an additional three which only protect on the basis of sexual orientation...attention moves to the more local arena, where we seek ordinances that make it safer to live in some areas than others.
So I have reports from 11 municipalities that have recently taken up the issue. There were fortunately more successes than failures, with some of the ordinances still up in the air.
Orlando, FL unanimously approved the addition of gender identity as a protected category in its human rights ordinance at its August 11 meeting of the City Council, twelve years after after adding protection on the basis of sexual orientation.
By passing this protection you are truly saving lives. Within the transgender community, there will be one more person who will not lose their livelihood; there will be one more person who will not lose their ability to provide for their families and who will not decide to take their own life.
Being transgender is not a choice and the need to live a true and authentic life is a difficult and perilous journey. For many transgender people who go through transition on the job, everything that we hold dear is at risk: our families, our friends, our jobs, our quality of life.
--Gina Duncan, Equality Florida
In the absence of federal anti-discrimination legislation on the basis of sexual orientati/gender identity (SOGI) and since only 18 states have passed such protections...with an additional three which only protect on the basis of sexual orientation...attention moves to the more local arena, where we seek ordinances that make it safer to live in some areas than others.
So I have reports from 11 municipalities that have recently taken up the issue. There were fortunately more successes than failures, with some of the ordinances still up in the air.
Orlando, FL unanimously approved the addition of gender identity as a protected category in its human rights ordinance at its August 11 meeting of the City Council, twelve years after after adding protection on the basis of sexual orientation.e person who will not lose their livelihood; there will be one more person who will not lose their ability to provide for their families and who will not decide to take their own life.
Being transgender is not a choice and the need to live a true and authentic life is a difficult and perilous journey. For many transgender people who go through transition on the job, everything that we hold dear is at risk: our families, our friends, our jobs, our quality of life.
--Gina Duncan, Equality FloridaThe motion to add gender identity was made by Republican Commissioner Tony Ortiz and seconded by Democratic Commissioner Patty Sheehan.
When sexual orientation was added in 2002, there was a lot of homophobic and transphobic rhetoric included in the testimony against the addition. This time around there was no opposition.
Those voices used to have an audience, and they don't anymore, and I think that is great cause for celebration.
--Orlando civil rights attorney Mary Meeks
1-0.
Also in Florida the city of Atlantic Beach now has a human rights ordinance banning discrimination against LGBT people. The City Commission voted 4-0 at its August 11 meeting mandating equal treatment in employment, housing, financial affairs, and public accommodations in the city as it became the first city in northeast Florida to add such protections.
Jacksonville rejected a similar ordinance two years ago.
In certain situations, we have to react to the climate. If we move forward in any municipality, we want to succeed.
--Evin Willman, Jacksonville Coalition for Equality
Commissioner Jonathan Daugherty said he voted for the ordinance only because in doing so, he can bring it up for reconsideration on August 25, so that absent member Jimmy Hill can have his say.
We’re going to have another battle about it. It’s not put to bed, really. But for now, we’ll just revel in it … And hope that the three will stick together and not vote for the reconsideration.
--Commissioner Maria Mark
The ordinance was passed after two hours of emotional public comment.
I can’t tell you of every incident that happens here in Atlantic Beach, but I can tell you they probably happen. You don’t always hear about them because what happens is when people are beat down like that, sometimes all they want to do is go hide.
There has been tremendous community support from Atlantic Beach residents, straight allies and others who believe the amended ordinance is right for their own community as well as an important first step to assuring equality for everyone in Northeast Florida.
--Dan Merkan, Jacksonville Coalition for Equality
A movement to call for a public referendum on the ordinance is also in the works. Such a move would require 735 valid signatures of registered city voters. One resident said that 175 signatures had already been gathered.
Businesses should not be burdened with unnecessary legislation that forces them to provide special benefits and protections to a few individuals who choose to discuss sexual preferences on company time instead of focusing on the job they were hired to do. I think this proposed legislation would actually discourage employers from hiring qualified LGBT employees because of the potential liability.
--small business owner Judith Sister Johnston
This will bring God’s judgment on Atlantic Beach.
--Raymond Johnson, founder and president of Biblical Concept Ministries of Jacksonville
First, the Bible tells me to love my neighbor as myself; that’s it. Secondly, in this country it is time all prejudice disappears.
--Ruth McGuffin, longtime resident
2-0, for now.
Mayor Tom Hanel cast the deciding vote around 3am on August 12, at the end of an 8.5 hour meeting, to defeat a proposed nondiscrimination ordinanceby a vote of 6-5. Hanel said he applied a standard from Rotary International to reach his decision:
I needed to ask myself, is this fair to everyone, beneficial to everyone? Will it build goodwill and friendships? I can’t say for sure.
--Hanel
Council member Shaun Brown, who also voted against the ordinance, said he was not against a majority of the ordinance, but did oppose the sections concerning public accommodations...namely restrooms and locker rooms...and allowing monetary damages to people who were discriminated against.
[W]e have been challenged in Billings to treat people fairly, and I think this process will help that. We have been challenged to love each other better and listen to each other better. I think there are issues of a deeper nature that we all need to be aware of.
--Dick Pence, who also voted against the ordinance
My wife and I own our own home, and we’re employed by companies that are open and embracing. Our lives aren’t as impacted, but the lives of our friends are impacted by this vote.
--stunned supporter Shauna Goubeaux
Goubeaux said the decision will come down especially hard on the transgender community, citing Marty Elizabeth Ortiz, who testified for the ordinance.
She exposed herself to ridicule and hate. Not having an NDO puts her at greater risk now.
--Goubeaux
There is a gay agenda. They want to be treated as real human beings.
--Brent Cromley, who voted in favor of the ordinance
[The council had] sat for months and heard from people who have experienced threats and intimidation and hatefulness. [Some of my colleagues displayed] an abject refusal to hear that voice and validate their very real experience. It’s shameful.
--Becky Bird, who voted in favorKen Crouch, a retired pastor who also voted for the ordinance, pointed to people who make their arguments quoting famous Scripture passages such as John 3:16, reminding them of the very next verse:
Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
--John 3:17
2-1
On July 22 the Rochester, NY City Council voted to include gender identity and expression to expand the definition of discrimination in the city's Municipal Codes. The move will expected to protect hundreds of local transgender and gender non-conforming residents from discrimination in employment, housing, finances, and city services.
Anything we can do to protect our citizens is an important thing.
--City Councilman Matt Haag
Sexual orientation was added to the definition more than a decade ago.
Making the wording more explicit also makes us seem more valued and not just a footnote in a law.
--Pam Barres, Empire State Pride Agenda
I don’t know a single trans person who hasn’t had an issue with getting a job or maintaining one.
--Laine DeLaney, Trans Alliance of Greater Rochester
3-1
On July 21 the Roeland Park, KS, City Council voted against an anti-discrimination ordinance, 4-3 that would have protected both LGBT citizens and military veterans. The community center hall was standing room only for nearly three hours as around 50 people were allowed to make 1.5 minute presentations about the ordinance.
Opponents mostly claimed that LGBT people were not discriminated against, objected because of their religious beliefs about homosexuality, or voiced their concerns about expenses for the already tax-burdened community. One resident went so far as to say that encouraging homosexual men in the community to live openly was a health issue. Supporters called for the community to embrace diversity or shared stories about real incidents of discrimination.
But...and very importantly...City Councilor Becky Fast had missed that July meeting. On August 4 she was there, the ordinance was reopened, Fast voted in favor, which made the vote 4-4. Then Mayor Joel Marquardt cast a vote in favor to break the tie. This action all took place without comment.
4-1
The Human Relations Commission in the city of Owensboro, KY, presented the idea for a non-discrimination ordinance protecting LGBT workers at the August 4 meeting of the Owensboro City Commission.
The presentation included the results of a survey of Kentucky residents showing that 75% supported such a measure.
The gist is to make sure that nobody is discriminated against, or not treated appropriately, or equally because of their lifestyle, no matter what it is.
--ordinance advocate Arnie Weiner
Mayor Paine said that all citizens should be treated fairly.
An editorial against the ordinance was published August 13.
The City Commission meets again this evening.
4-1-1
Tomorrow night the City Council of Fayetteville, AR will consider a non-discrimination ordinance in employment, housing and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic background, marital status, or veteran status. Cnservatives are fiercely opposed.
They even recruited Michelle Duggar f TLC network's 19 Kids and Counting to record a robo-call to Fayetteville's residents warning folks that transgender people are child predators and the ordinance would protect that behavior.
[The bill will] allow men — yes I said men — to use womens’ and girls’ restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping areas and other areas that are designated for females only.
--Duggar
The entire recording is at the link. The call was paid for by FreeFayetteville, a branch of the Arkansas Family Council.
[Opponents] are spreading this misinformation because they are skilled political strategists and they believe it is an effective proxy for their bigotry.
--Alderman Matthew Petty
City Attorney Kit Williams called the threats "nothing more than fear-mongering."
Transgender people,” he added, “deserve to have the ability to use the bathroom in peace and safety.
--Williams
Duggars' oldest son is executive director of FRCAction, legislative affiliate of the Family Research Council.
4-1-2
Springfield, MO City Attorney Dan Wichmer said a proposed ordinance discussed at the City Council last Wednesday "was incomplete and should not have been brought forward." Sponsored by Mayor Stephens and Councilman Fishel, the measure discussed was a gutted version of a previous proposed ordinance, which Fishel and Stephens opposed. The newer version would expand the city's nondiscrimination ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the case of housing, but excluded public accommodations and employment. Religious exemptions were included in both.
I don't think Springfield needs to step out and be unique in this particular issue.
In the Fair Housing Act, it's already a listed class of discrimination and we would like to conform with the federal and the state laws concerning that. But I've read twice the entire report (produced by the task force) and found no hard evidence that they come up with about discrimination.
--Fishel
Let's assume we're back in 1862, and there's a proposal like this involving black people. But no African-Americans have come forward with a complaint of discrimination. Would you feel that was really indicative of what the society was, and that it didn't merit making a statement that we're in favor of equal rights for black people?
--Council Member Cindy Rushefsky
If you're discriminating against someone because of something they can't control — whether that's the color of their skin, their sexual orientation or anything else — in my opinion that's wrong and the city should address it.
--Council Member Craig Hosmer
If we have no murders, would you want no murder laws on the books?
--Council Member Mike Carroll
Task force member David Tripp then discussed a suvey of area LGBT people which showed that 10% had experienced discrimination in housing and 45% had experienced discrimination in employment.
Our hearts continue to break for the (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community of Springfield. As pastors and Christian leaders, we are deeply sorry for the ways Christianity is frequently used to hurt rather than heal, and we want you to know there are many of us in support of you.
--letter signed by 23 local Christian leaders
The City Council recommended that the original proposed ordinance be moved forward.
4-1-3
The Pittsburgh, PA, City Council took preliminary steps to add gender identity and expression as an explicitly protected class with regard to discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodation on July 23.
I was very surprised to learn that while the spirit of our code always referenced protection for gender identity and expression, it was exactly that, it was spirit … not actual verbiage.
--Council President Bruce Kraus
The issue was brought to Kraus by the executive director og the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition.
Kraus' chief of staff, Kevin Kerr, said that transgender people and no-gender binary people are protected under the current municipal code, but that protection is buried in the definition of "sex" in the non-discrimination policy.
When you see the non-discrimination act publicized in the workplace, gender identity and expression is not clearly stated on that. With this legislation, it would be stated clearly … because they are listed as a directly protected class.
--Kerr
Hopefully in five, 10, 20 years, this will be considered perfectly normal across all jurisdictions … and private companies.
--Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak
The City Council passed the ordinance on July 29 and it was signed by the mayor on August 1.
5-1-3
Sterling Heights, MI, residents opposed to the non-discrimination ordinance passed in June have submitted petitions calling for a public vote on the issue. The city clerk will have to verify the signatures and determine if the method of gathering them was legal before the measure can be placed on the ballot.
The City Council unanimously passed an ordinance prohibiting discrimination against LGBT people in housing, employment, and public accommodations in June.
City resident Fred Kummer said the ordinance was too important to leave the decision to the City Council. After all people who are in favor of discrimination deserve their say as well.
When petition gatherers solicited signatures on August 2 in front of the public library, Councilman Doug Skrzyniarz showed up with a sign that read, "Decline to Sign" on one side and "Say No to Bigotry" on the other, causing a huge outcry of "intimidation."
Skrzyniarz said residents seeking to gather signatures "have every right to try to get (the ordinance) on the ballot." But he also said he has equal rights to oppose their efforts.
"Were they frustrated that we were there?" Skrzyniarz said. "You're darned right."
Some things shouldn't be subjected to a referendum. Civil rights is one of them.
--Council member Michael Taylor
5-1-4
Finally, the Baton Rouge Metro Council voted 8-4 to reject a "fairness ordinance" on August 13. The ordinance would have prohibited discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations in the parish, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. There was much acrimony in discussions leading up to the vote. While the ordinance included the bases or race, gender, and religion, all focus was on SOGI.
Supporters said it was an issue of basic fairness and that passing the ordinance would show businesses that Baton Rouge is a welcoming and progressive community. Opponents said i would generate lawsuits against small businesses and it infringed on the beliefs of Christians.
One council member said the LGBT community doesn't face the same level of discrimination as other minorities, like African-Americans.
I'm not doubting (they face discrimination). But I don't think it's to the same level when you have institutionalized Jim Crow laws, like you did back in the '60s.
--Buddy Amoroso
The ordinance was introduced by Council member C, Denise Marcell, who is black. She shot back:
It does not have to be, for me, any certain 'level of discrimination.' Discrimination is wrong. Whatever level it's on, it's wrong.
--Marcelle
After the vote, Marcelle spoke to the press.
I would have thought people would have been more open-minded about every citizen in Baton Rouge. This was not about religion. This was about fairness, about due process for all people.
--Marcelle
The conservative Louisiana Family Forum lobbied against the ordinance, of course.
Be Fair Baton Rouge, a group of local businesspeople and other residents which advocated for the ordinance says they are not going away.
We will wake up tomorrow, regroup, and come up with a new strategy to effect the kind of change I think is required to be a magnetic community.
--Jennifer Eplett Reilly
5-2-4