04-10-06 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 10, 2006 COMMENTS CONCERNING THE AMENDMENT TO THE SOUTH BEND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CONCERNING GLBT Ms. Catherine Pittman, 2628 Summit Ridge, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is a member of South Bend Equality. Ms. Pittman urged the Council to think about contributions to the community from people who are Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgender, (GLBT) instead of focusing on their sexual orientation. She stated that members of the GLBT community are “co-workers, neighbors and friends:” who work in offices and factories and volunteer in churches and schools. Ms. Robin Beck, 501C3 100 Center, Mishawaka, Indiana, stated that she is the owner of Another Book Store, a GLBT resource center in Mishawaka. She stated that she hears horror stories every day from people who have been fired from their jobs or couldn’t get housing because of their sexual orientation.She further noted that including the GLBT rights in the ordinance will make South Bend a better place to live and work, attracting employers to this area. Ms. Beck advised that other cities such as Indianapolis and Lafayette already have adopted this language in to city codes. Ms. Mary Porter, 52081 Woodridge Drive, South Bend, Indiana, stated that the Council received a report on GLBT discrimination in employment, education, housing and public accommodations last April. Porter reminded the council about local interviews included in the report detailing specific incidents. She advised that a lesbian suffering from an asthma attack had trouble in the emergency room because her partner wasn’t allowed to give the attending nurse medical information. Porter said that in another case, a gay many was told to end his relationship with another man or risk losing his job. Ms. Porter stated that because South Bend does not prohibit such discrimination, he had no remedy. Ms. Rhonda Redman, 518 N. Scott Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated that the argument against the amendment is that it is unenforceable just doesn’t make sense. Ms. Redman stated that there are federal and state human rights codes for employment include sexual orientation and there have been no problems enforcing those rules. The Human Rights Commission and staff is experienced in investigating discrimination cases and would enforce the code. She noted that GLBT citizens should have a right to approach the Human Rights Commission with problems. Ms. Redman stated that you need to empower these citizens and to seek a remedy when they have been treated unfairly. Ms. Astrid Henry, 713 W. LaSalle, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she would like to see an Amendment to Article 9, of the South Bend Human Rights Ordinance, which would make it illegal to discriminate against people based upon their sexual orientation or gender identity in areas of employment, housing, education and public accommodations. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, President Rouse adjourned the meeting at 9:12 p.m. ATTEST: ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ John Voorde, City Clerk Timothy A. Rouse, President 22