05-11-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING MAY 11, 2009 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR COMMENTS CONCERNING AN AMENDMENT TO THE SOUTH BEND HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE TO ADDRESS GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION Don Wheeler, 60648 Lilac Road, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in favor of an amendment to the South Bend Human Rights Ordinance to address gender identity and sexual orientation. He stated that he was disappointed that the Council defeated this bill. He stated that one of the reasons for the defeat was a standpoint of enforcement. He stated that the ordinance was modeled after one that is in effect in Indianapolis. He stated that as far as he is aware there have been no problems arising from that amendment. He stated that one Councilmember last year mentioned that he was not ready to be trailblazer regarding this issue. Mr. Wheeler stated that 94% of Fortune 500 Companies cover their employees with that particular protection as well as the State of Indiana covering their employees. He stated that it is not a matter of trailblazing; it is a matter of falling behind the curve. He urged the Council to take another look at this amendment. David Girth, 1134 E. South Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated that timing is everything and there are two times in the life of his church, The United Church of Christ that he wanted to share tonight. In 1972, Bill Johnson was ordained in the United Church of st Christ as the 1 openly gay man ordained in any major denomination in the country. In 1985, the United Church of Christ voted to become an open denomination to persons who are gay, lesbian or bi-sexual. He stated that he sat on that committee who voted to open the church, however, each congregation would be allow to make its own choice. In 2006, th on the 34 anniversary of Bill Johnson ordination, he was ordained. He was honored to share his anniversary of ordination and came to South Bend shortly thereafter to become Pastor of Zion Church, shortly after that congregation voted to become open and affirming itself. He stated that on the very first day of becoming Pastor of Zion Church, he came to this very room and the Council voted not to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the City’s Human Rights Ordinance. The church has come along way since 1972, the Country has come along way since 1985, South Bend like Zion is a very traditional place, but have taken very bold stands and consistent with a tradition of being welcoming to everybody and protecting the rights of each person. He stated that the time is now. Judith Stanton, 809 W. Northshore Drive, South Bend, Indiana, urged the Council to amend the South Bend Human Rights Ordinance to include gender identity and sexual orientation. This amendment would cover the areas of employment, housing, education and public accommodations and also provide an exemption for religious organizations. She thanked the members of the Council who voted in favor of the amendment. Ms. Stanton stated that having the ability to air claims of discrimination is a matter of justice. She stated that right now in this community, there is an injustice. She stated that as a Jew, the concept of justice is important. She stated that she learned “justice, justice shall you pursue” Deuteronomy 16:20, not once but twice shall you pursue justice. In other words never stop until equal justice for each person is achieved. She stated that this means and turned to Genesis 1:27 which includes that all humans are created in the image of God. She that that this is the protection, this is the justice that Deuteronomy calls for. She stated that her job as a human and particularly as a Jew is to ensure that each member of this community has justice. She stated that she takes more of her moral compass from her Jewish tradition; she has found secular support for this amendment as well. Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states “All Human Beings are Free and Equal in Dignity and Rights” “They are endowed with reasonably good conscience and should act toward one another in the spirit of brotherhood.” She urged the Council to pass this amendment. Having equal justice in this community is not simply a plus, it is a necessity. 21