10154-12 Amend Code Various Sections Article 9, Chapter 2 New Provisions Addressing Gender Identiy and Sexual Orientation

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Derek D. Dieter President City of South Bend Common Council 441 County -City Building . 227 W. Jefferson Blvd (574) 235 -9321 South Bend, Indiana 46601 -1830 Fax (574) 235 -9173 http://www.southbendin.gov March 7, 2012 Oliver J. Davis Vice - President Members of the South Bend Common Council 4th Floor County City Building Karen L. White Chairperson, Committee South Bend, IN 46601 of the Whole Re: Proposed Amendments to the South Bend Human Rights Ordinance Tim Scott Addressing Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the City of South First District Bend Henry Davis, Jr. Dear Council Members: Second District Valerie Schey We are pleased to introduce for your consideration the attached 8 -page amended Third District ordinance. This amended ordinance would replace the South Bend Human Rights Ordinance currently set forth in Chapter 2, Article 9, Sections 1 -126 Fred Ferlic through 2 -132.1 of the South Bend Municipal Code. Fourth District The issue of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity David Varner has been a focus of public concern and debate in South Bend since January, Fifth District 2005, when the Human Rights Commission sent the following statement to the Oliver J. Davis Common Council: Sixth District "The South Bend Human Rights Commission is an agency of the City of Derek D. Dieter South Bend, Indiana, committed to fair and equal treatment of all human At Large beings. It is the responsibility and during of the Human Rights Commission to make sure that no human being is mistreated based on Gavin Ferlic status, without making value or moral judgments. At Large Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered (GLB &T) persons have Karen L. White experienced mistreatment based on their GLB &T status. The South Bend At Large Human Rights Commission supports pports and encourages the South Bend Common Council to hear from the general public; to explore, investigate and to determine the degree to which GLB &T persons have been treated adversely within the City of South Bend due to their GLB &T status. The South Bend Human Rights Commission further encourages the South Bend Common Council, working cooperatively with the South Bend Human Rights Commission, to create an appropriate remedy." Yet, despite evidence that such discrimination was occurring, an attempt to amend the Human Rights Ordinance in 2006 failed.