Live Blogging City Council. main issue: bill 2012-296, human rights bill

[TheCat]

A few speakers in support of the bill speak.

A pastor representing pastors speaks, he says:

They Absolutly oppose this bill. This bill has nothing to do with fairness or equality. It has everything to do with holding people who do not agree with homosexuality or gender identity issues to have to agree with that lifestyle. This discriminates against people who do not agree and hold a moral opposition to this...

I'm going to refer to homosexuality, gender identity and anything related as "orientation identity" and abbreviated as OI. Sorry if thats weird.

[AshleyLauren]

Speaker 3:
Yes!Allow all residents of duval county to live without fear of loss of their rights. Everything about this bill will help. It will bring better employers and employees.

Speaker 4:
No! Statement of opposition from Trinity, NorthJax, Florida Baptist Convention, Westside Baptist, Pastors of the state we oppose this issue. We have clarity and conviction. It has nothing to do with fairness or hiring, jobs, or the elimination of discrimination. The ordinance would discriminate against every person with religious or moral beliefs. It is a unlawful invasion of the constitution. What will happen to the protection of religious organizations and facilities? "Come down hard against this ordinance."

[AshleyLauren]

Speaker 5:
Not clear on his opinion. Council member advises him to deal with his problems with MAYO.

Speaker 6: Evokes tears to describe how she feels about Jacksonville's discrimination against minorities.

Speaker 7: Does this bill affect all of Jacksonville negatively? No. It benefits them.

Speaker 8: Reverend Harvey Carr: Call out the council members that have left the room now that 296 is being discussed. (Right before we began Stephen Joost had to call members back because he needed 14 to proceed.)
"This is not a religious ordinance. All men are created equal. Freedoms and rights have continued for all people." Reverend Carr compares this ordinance to the stand taken for civil rights for African Americans. Stating, "If we had not done that then many of you would not be able to sit where you sit much less vote."

[RiversideLoki]

Holy crap, Kim Daniels just went off the map.

[TheCat]

Speaker addresses that he is insulted that they made everyone in the "audience" wait and when this issue came up so many of the council people left.

They left:

Denise lee
Warren jones
Matt schellenberg
Ray holt
Richard Clark

[TheCat]

Kim Daniels Suggested that...a vote for gay rights is a vote to end the rights of other protected classes. Speakers response was "I'm sorry, what?" Audience laughs. Council president admonishes crowd...Kim realizes that what she said was not the best way to make her point. Sits down with " that's all I'll say about it"

[TheCat]

Speaker, in favor of bill says, the end vote is with the council. He suggest that ministers will say yes to this bill and ministers will say no. He suggest that doesn't really matter. There are good reasons to pass this bill. Then he uses biblical passages to make his point.

[TheCat]

Warren jones is back. He introduced the bill. Most speakers, so far, support the bill. Robin Lumb has left.

[Tamara-B]

As the meeting goes on, gay Jacksonville residents are pleading with the council to pass the bill. They have expressed their endurance of job losses, name-calling, vandalism of property, and harassment.

A transgendered woman tearfully described her being asked to use the men's room at her job despite her identifying as a woman.

However, religious leaders have also asked the council to pass the bill. Two ministers have told council that everyone deserves civil rights. One quotes Dr. King and the Deckaration of Independence.

[AshleyLauren]

Speaker 11: We should be a progressive city. It's the right thing to do. Fiscally beneficial to our city and its citizens. All of them.
Speaker 12, 13, 14, 15: I believe every citizen in this city should be treated equally. Truly, it is long overdue. All citizens deserve fairness. If were to succeed as a community and grow then I urge you to pass this human rights ordinance. It makes good business sense. It is the right thing to do. This will help us move past ignorance and prejudice.

You are probably beginning to get the point. The message is pretty clear. Every Jacksonville citizen should be considered equally. No matter their color, gender, or lifestyles. Pretty inspiring to see person after person, not knowing each other but all in agreement and support of this bill they believe in so much.

[Tamara-B]

Speaker, in favor of the bill, claims he was fortunate to be hired based on his talent and not his sexual orientation. He says passing this bill is the right thing to do

[AshleyLauren]

On a side note: Does anyone know why they are made to tell their addresses before speaking? Wouldn't that be considered risky for something like this?

[Tamara-B]

A college professor says some of his students feel cursed and damned, no longer wishing to remain in this community.

[TheCat]

Media is packing up. Although, we are not even close to completion. Seriously, no where close...
If you want to watch the public comments live go here...
http://media.coj.net/COJCouncil

Point is made that this bill has nothing to do with...
Homosexual marriage or The morality of homosexuality...don't confuse the issues.

[AshleyLauren]

Lots of MetroJax people in the building. Melanie and Gerald are looking stylish as always. Be careful, they may get a picture of you. Andy is walking around taking pictures of big name people. Stephen Dare is walking around working the crowd with important people like UNF President John Delaney. I believe I saw Tamara sitting on the ground towards the back in between a bunch of standing men. Arash has disappeared unless he is still on the third row. And I finally found a plug in the very back. Next to the trash cans. We are in it for the long haul.