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Human Rights Ordinance Cover Letter — page 2 <br />March 7, 2012 <br />In 2009, former Mayor Stephen Luecke issued an Executive Order to ban discrimination based <br />upon sexual orientation in city hiring. The Common Council went on to defeat a proposed <br />amendment to ban employment discrimination based upon sexual orientation city -wide in 2010. <br />It is now 2012, and members of the Human Rights Commission continue to state that they <br />receive reports alleging discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation; however, the <br />Commission has been unable to investigate these reports because they are not empowered to do <br />SO. <br />The Common Council can take action to allow the Human Rights Commission to address this <br />discrimination, and it is the opinion of the sponsors of this amendment that the council should <br />do so. Not only will this promote the fair treatment and equality that South Bend wishes to <br />extend to all citizens, but it will also promote the type of climate that is essential in attracting <br />innovative businesses to our community. <br />We believe it is a matter of basic fairness to amend our city's Human Rights Ordinance to <br />prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Doing so will <br />enable the Human Rights Commission to investigate allegations, determine if there is evidence <br />of discrimination, mediate, and try to resolve the issue. Our Human Rights Commission is <br />experienced at this process - we need only give them the power to investigate cases of sexual <br />orientation or gender identity discrimination for them to do so. <br />This issue has been the topic of extensive debate. The proposed legislation has been vetted. We <br />believe the time has come for South Bend to join other progressive cities in Indiana and <br />nationwide in protecting our GLBT citizens from discrimination. <br />Sincerely, <br />Gl� `�D ivaq <br />Valerie Schey <br />3rd District Council Member <br />Tim Scott <br />1St District Council Member <br />Attachments <br />Dr. Fred Ferlic <br />4th District Council Member <br />Gavin Ferlic <br />Council Member at Large <br />