07-27-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 27, 2009 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR COMMENTS CONCERNING AMENDING THE SOUTH BEND HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY Mary Porter, 52801 Woodridge, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is a member of South Bend Equality a local community organization that advocates for equal protection under the law for all residents regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. She urged the Council to amend the South Bend Human Rights Ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity. She stated that “all” individuals should be treated equally. Marie Lafferty, 739 Marquette, South Bend, Indiana, stated that protecting the rights of citizens under the law is an area of justice that must be addressed by those who are charged with protecting the common good. She stated that persons who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and trans-gendered must have equal protection under the law and the lawful access to redress the issue of discrimination. Donna Kane, 2354 Normandy Drive, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she lost her job because of openly admitted she was gay. She stated that she had worked for her employer for a number of years and her supervisor had knowledge that she was gay. She stated that her supervisor was on leave and she was reporting to a new supervisor, when that supervisor learned that she was gay, let her go for a reason of using a company computer to send an e-mail. Ms. Kane stated that she received that e-mail from another co-worker then forwarded it on. She noted that the other co-worker was not fired. Ms. Kane stated that she had no recourse for any action because there is no law discriminating against sexual orientation and gender identity. She urged the Council to amend the South Bend Human Rights Ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity so that all individuals are treated equal. Catherine Pittman, 2628 Summit Ridge Drive, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is a member of South Bend Equality. She stated that South Bend Equality is lobbying for a proposed amendment to South Bend’s Human Rights Ordinance that would extend protection to all citizens in South Bend. Ms. Pittman passed out a statement from community members praising South Bend Mayor Steve Luecke’s executive order that expanded the non-discrimination policy for city employees to include sexual orientation and gender identity. A copy is on file in the Office of the City Clerk. She stated that they want to “add a box” to the City of South Bend Human Rights Commission Information Request to include sexual orientation/Gender Identity. Raul Jara, 317 Napoleon, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is here tonight to give the straight male perspective on non-discrimination protections. He advised that the City of Indianapolis enacted such protection in 2005, after their mayor had passed a similar executive order, and a variety of other Indiana localities such as Lafayette, West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Bloomington, Fort Wayne, and Michigan City has extended protection to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity. He noted that Governor Daniels has maintained similar civil rights protection for state employees since he took office in 2004. He urged the Council to amend the South Bend Human Rights Ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity so that all individuals are treated equal. Bridget Hardy, 319 W. Navarre, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is a member of the South Bend Human Rights Commission. She stated that she will be resigning her duties as a member of the South Bend Human Commission because her family is being relocated out of the City. She urged the Council to pass an amendment extending protection to all citizens in the South Bend area. 29