|
REGULAR MEETING MARCH 26, 2012
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />be a progressive innovative community with a flourishing climate of business, social, and
<br />cultural activity we must be accepting and inclusive of all citizens to attract and retain the
<br />talented and creative people that can lead us to our ideal future. So in the spirit of
<br />inclusiveness and acceptance, he asked that the Council pass Bill 9-12 tonight.
<br />
<br />th
<br />Melissa Stokely, 910 E. 4 Street, Mishawaka, Indiana, she read a statement for the local
<br />NOW, (National Organization for Women.) We are committed to fighting discrimination
<br />based on sexual orientation or gender identity in all areas, including employment,
<br />housing, public accommodations, health services, child custody and military policies.
<br />NOW is committed to educational efforts that combat the adverse effects of homophobia
<br />and promote positive images in the media and ultimately ensure civil rights protection for
<br />all. NOW supports adding sexual orientation and gender identity to South Bend’s Human
<br />Rights Ordinance. She also wanted to say that her name is Melissa and tonight she is not
<br />here tonight because she is black, not because she is white, not here because she is
<br />straight or that she is gay, she is here because she is a human being and thinks that we can
<br />all agree that human beings deserve total equality and that should make the decision
<br />pretty simple.
<br />
<br />Marguerite Taylor, 714 E. Corby, South Bend, Indiana, advised that this last fall she was
<br />a part of the delegation for the All American City Competition in Kansas City, Kansas.
<br />She stated that she cannot tell you how happy she was that South Bend was designated an
<br />“All American City.” She stated that she is not gay, a lesbian, a transsexual, but she is a
<br />grandmother! She stated that she is a grandmother who loves South Bend, a sixth
<br />generation northeast neighborhood neighbor. She stated that this is just the right thing to
<br />do. Please, please pass this law because it is the right thing to do. She stated that she
<br />belongs to the United Religious Community, the President is a Baha’i, the Vice-President
<br />is a Jew, the Treasurer is a Catholic, and the Secretary, who doesn’t take minutes, is her.
<br />So how much more diverse can you get than that. South Bend is truly a welcoming city;
<br />it is an “All American City.” Do the right thing.
<br />
<br />Derek McDowell, 56321 Oak Road, Queer Straight Alliance, thanked the Council for all
<br />their hard work for the City. She stated that he is the President of the Queer Straight
<br />Alliance (QSA) at John Adams High School. He stated that he has served as the
<br />President for QSA for three years. Every year the QSA along with approximately 250
<br />other students participate in the National Day of Silence, honoring gay, lesbian, bi-sexual,
<br />transgendered and queer students that have been silenced by bullies in our own
<br />community. In all the years that he has been a part of this group at John Adams High
<br />School, they have not only had homosexual and transgendered students report bullying
<br />because of their orientation or identity but also heterosexual members who have been
<br />perceived to be gay, transgendered, or just plain weird that support us. He stated that this
<br />discrimination and bullying needs to stop. He asked the Council to look beyond just
<br />employment and housing rights, but what this bill can mean if it is passed. It will give
<br />the students of our community the confidence to be in school. He stated that he has had
<br />to support many fellow students who have attempted suicide because of the
<br />discrimination they have faced. He doesn’t want this to happen anymore. He stated that
<br />our youth need to grow up in a welcoming and supportive community despite their sexual
<br />orientation and gender identity. He stated that he personally supports the passing of Bill
<br />9-12 in order to make our city a more welcoming place to youth who wish to build a
<br />st
<br />future in our 21 Century City South Bend.
<br />
<br />Sue Chestnut, 316 Parkovash, South Bend, Indiana, advised that she is a life time
<br />resident, born at Memorial Hospital, went to the old Centre Twp. School, graduated from
<br />Riley High School, and IUSB. She stated this is her town. She stated that when she
<br />moved 22 years ago onto Parkovash she was very pleased that there were on this 3 ½
<br />block street that there were four residences quietly keeping house a couple of lesbian
<br />couples, a couple of gays couples, everybody got along fine, everybody got along fine, it
<br />was no problem in the neighborhood. Unlike Mr. Mangan who came here to attend Notre
<br />Dame and stayed to work at his marketing career, she is a life time resident. She stated
<br />that she believes in separation of Church and State, this is a human rights issue, it’s not a
<br />religious issue, equal treatment for all should be a no brainer in 2012. This isn’t the 60’s,
<br />she was there too! They talked about the restrooms, the school system had Summer
<br /> 17
<br />
<br />
|