04-27-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 27, 2009 Zach Duncan – IUSB Equality Vice-President, asked the Common Council to consider amending the Human Rights Ordinance to include language for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons. He stated that without adding language for GLBT people to the ordinance, he doesn’t think he would be protected by the law if he was fired from a job for being gay. He stated that after he graduates he would consider leaving South Bend for a job market that has GLBT protections. Kathleen Shurcliffe - 306 Baden Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana, stated that she is a student at the University of Notre Dame. She stated that she is the Vice-President of the Notre Dame College Democrats Chapter and the Finance Director of the Indiana College Democrats, and a young member of the South Bend Community. She stated that a governing body has the legal responsibility to uphold the rights and liberties upon which it was founded. It is the obligation of the South Bend City Council to protect the freedoms of its citizens. Freedoms which promote a strong economy for the City, freedoms which foster a spirit of equality and community life and freedoms which bolster the very integrity of the City of South Bend in itself. An ordinance that excludes and promotes injustice by its narrow scope is a fisher in the legal foundation that legitimizes every right and every freedom we enjoy as citizens of South Bend. She calls upon the South Bend City Council to amend the South Bend Human Rights Ordinance, extended the measure to ensure protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity for all members of the community. Felix Marquez – 115 N. St. Louis, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is a student at IUSB and will be graduating in two years and as a gay man he is afraid of what would happen to him if his future employer would find out that he was gay. Also as an international student who came from a country that at some point did not respect the human rights and is sad to know that South Bend does not respect the human rights of every individual. He urged the Council to consider passing an amendment that could respect all human rights. April Odynski – 536 S. Sunnyside, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she was here three years ago for this same conversation and was very moved by those Councilmember’s that supported this amendment. She encouraged the Council to consider amending the human rights ordinance to include language for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons. She stated that she works at IUSB and is very proud to be part of a group called the Campus Ally Network, comprised of staff, faculty and students who are committed to supporting the rights of all students on campus, especially GLBT students. This is a group that is supported by the Chancellor and the Chancellor’s cabinet and it has been great to be a part of that group. She certain hopes that South Bend is ready to take that next step and join some many other municipalities that recognize all of their citizens and protect every single citizen. She stated that no one loses when it is guaranteed that everyone has equal rights. She stated that she is optimistic about the next steps here. Henry Vasquez – Notre Dame College Democrats President, Notre Dame, Indiana, stated that everyone should have basic human rights and that it took progressive changes in this country for African-Americans to be treated equally. Mr. Vasquez said he hopes Council Members will take a stand and be part of the next movement to guarantee rights for GLBT individuals. COMMENTS REGARDING BILL NO. 29-09 Thomas Klempay – 1733 S. Walnut, South Bend, Indiana, asked if he could speak regarding Bill No. 29-09 that was on tonight’s agenda. Council President Dieter advised Mr. Klempay that he cannot discuss any item that appeared on tonight’s agenda. However, he advised Mr. Klempay that he can discuss the bill with any Councilmember after the meeting. 13