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03-26-12 Common Council Meeting Minutes
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03-26-12 Common Council Meeting Minutes
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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 26, 2012 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />the Council proposes tonight would make him simply liable for substantial damages and <br />attorney’s fees if he refuses to rent one of his houses to a homosexual, he is disgusted by <br />homosexuality, he believes that there are few acts on the face of the earth that are worse <br />than this, he acquaints this entirely with bestiality, incest, child molesting all those are <br />criminal acts, he sees no difference between homosexuality and these other criminal acts <br />mentioned, he does not want to do business with these people, they are evil.” He stated <br />that he is not implying that everyone that is in opposition to this bill thinks this same way <br />as that landlord. He stated that besides what is going to be said tonight he hopes that we <br />can all agree that this sort of hate that he just read is wrong. Evicting somebody or <br />denying them employment based on that kind of hate is wrong. <br /> <br />Tony Flora, 202 E. Angela, North Central AFL-CIO Central Labor Council supports <br />Ordinance 09-12 allowing the South Bend Human Rights Commission to investigate <br />claims of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. In June <br />2010 the AFL-CIO Central Labor Council voted to support the previous version of this <br />ordinance when it was introduced to the common Council in 2010. He re-affirmed that <br />position today. The AFL-CIO has a long history of dedication to workplace fairness and <br />is a strong advocate for an end to discrimination against all employees. In 2005, the <br />AFL-CIO stated, “Discrimination based on sexual orientation is inconsistent with the <br />fundamental value of equality; simply put, it is wrong.” This statement is part of the <br />AFL-CIO’s declaration on “The Values that Unite Us as People and a Movement.” The <br />North Central Indiana AFL-CIO, the federation of Unions in the six north central <br />counties of Indiana, asks that the South Bend Common Council to support the <br />amendments proposed to the South Bend Human Rights Ordinance. He stated that their <br />support of this amendment is consistent with the AFL-CIO’s commitment to improve the <br />lives of workers and their families, and our goal of bringing economic justice to the <br />workplace and social justice to our communities. <br /> <br />Penny Hughes, 1918 Southernview Dr., South Bend, Indiana, Chair, South Bend Human <br />Rights Commission, stated is it wanting “special rights” to expect to be judged on your <br />work performance rather than on whom you love? Is it asking for “special rights” to be <br />protected from denial of housing based on the landlord’s perception of your gender <br />identity or sexual orientation? We members of the Human Rights Commission don’t <br />think having a place to live or having a job is a “special right.” She stated that the <br />Council has the opportunity to stand up to this form of discrimination and move the City <br />forward by saying to employers and landlords that we as a City do not tolerate this form <br />of discrimination against any of our citizens. We have seen how harmful it can be to <br />allow anti-gay prejudice to go unopposed, with the rise of bullying in schools and the <br />high rate of gay teen suicides in our country. On the other hand a recent study from Rice <br />University has shown that the presence of anti-discrimination laws can not only reduce <br />discrimination in hiring and housing, but can also lead to changes in informal and <br />interpersonal behavior. As a Missoula, Montana woman explained about living under the <br />protection of the city’s 2010 ordinance, “There’s a little more sense of peace and calm <br />know the city has our back.” Communities across the American heartland from <br />Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Omaha, Nebraska, to Salt Lake City, Utah have passed <br />ordinances protecting LGBT citizens. As of June 2010, 21 states and 133 cities and <br />counties had some form of protection for employees based on sexual orientation and <br />gender identity. With recent nationwide Gallup polls showing an increase in support for <br />such laws from 56% to 89%, it is no surprise that the backlash and lawsuits predicted by <br />ordinance opponents has failed to materialize. Adding sexual orientation and gender <br />identity to our Human Rights ordinance will still allow religious groups to honor their <br />religious beliefs. They can have the own “special rights” in their schools, their housing <br />and their employment. She stated that the Human Rights Commission are merely asking <br />for the right to investigate claims of discrimination which may or may not be true. Not <br />every claim is likely to be valid: perhaps a complainant showed poor work skills, or <br />failed to meet the terms of a lease. The proposed ordinance will allow the HRC to <br />investigate cases brought to them to see if citizens are being treated fairly. She stated that <br />as the Mayor put it, “workers should not have to fear for their jobs for reasons that have <br />nothing to do with their performance.” Ms. Hughes asked the Council to please vote in <br />favor of Bill 9-12 to ensure equal rights for all. <br /> <br /> 12 <br /> <br />
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