New Battle for a Human Rights Ordinance in Jacksonville

[Cheshire Cat]

Diane, I meant to mention that, but forgot to.  Thanks for the reminder!

My gut tells me this won't be back before the Jacksonville City Council until after the 2015 elections.  I mean, I guess it's technically possible that a Councilmember could file something sooner, but unless that someone is Reggie Brown or Dr. Gaffney, I don't see a different result than we saw a year ago. 

A big part of this work for Jacksonville will involve getting very clear on the views of the Council candidates - and Mayoral candidates - so that we can get a good bill passed and signed in 2015-2016.

Of course -- sometimes politicians will sometimes go back on their word, which was the case with Dr. Gaffney.  He was on-record supporting the HRO (and marriage equality!) but didn't vote that way when it was time to put it on the line.

Glad to hear this will wait until 2015.  I think direct questions posed to all of those running for office about this issue need to be asked and once asked and answered the public and voters need to hold them to their statements.  If the promise is to support, well they darn well need to keep that promise.  It they will not support the GLBT legislation people can vote accordingly.

[Debbie Thompson]

We, Leta Lair Stever and I,  asked Marc McCullough where he stood on the HRO when we saw him in Springfield last weekend collecting signatures to get on the ballot.  He said he had not decided, and had to get input from the community. 

We asked him, point blank, if he thought it was OK to discriminate on housing and jobs if one is gay, and he said no, but he needed input from the community, because he would vote according to how the community wanted, regardless of his personal belief.  OK, he hasn't decided, blah, blah, campaign speak.

Leta told him she would be watching for him to take a stand, and vote accordingly.  I told him I expect leaders to lead, not follow. 

He said he would be holding Town Hall meetings.  Be watching for them and attend.  This isn't the only important issue for District 7 (historic preservation, hello....)  But it's one of them. 

[Jimmy]

I very much appreciate you for asking Mr. McCullough about his views.  I know that all of the candidates will (eventually) get a written request for their positions on LGBT issues.  Asking them in town halls and forums is a great idea, too, because it gives them an opportunity to think about their position and to understand that the HRO is an important issue to the larger community.  Along with historic preservation, economic development, crime, taxes, and spending.  I imagine these issues will be part of every Jacksonville election until we join the rest of the civilized world.

[Cheshire Cat]

Debbie, what district is Marc running for?

[jaxequality]

Jimmy Midyette for city council!

[Jimmy]

I appreciate the sentiment, but 2015 isn't right for me.  Neither was 2007, as it turned out.

Diane, Marc McCullough is over in Springfield, District 7, I do believe.

[Cheshire Cat]

I appreciate the sentiment, but 2015 isn't right for me.  Neither was 2007, as it turned out.

Diane, Marc McCullough is over in Springfield, District 7, I do believe.

I remember now.  I am not thrilled with the answer he gave to Debbie.  Politics as usual.  Waiting to see which way the wind blows.  There is at least one candidate on the ballot so far that has expressed their support for equality.  Let's see if there is an understanding of restoration and revitalization to go with it.  I certainly hope we get more candidates in all districts and at large who understand the importance of the issue under discussion.  In any case, folks should cross of Gaffney's name the minute it goes on the ballot.

[theduvalprogressive]

In my view I believe any actions should be done during the elections for council positions and they need to be well organized. Anytime a candidate goes somewhere to do a speech, that person should have to deal with the issue. People interested in promoting this issue should get the contact information and share it with other interested in seeing this issue addressed. That way when the go into their new job on the council, they know that there is a large percentage of support for this issue in the community.

[James Eddy]

Our main goal is to bring this before City Council in 2015. So as we get closer to that date we will really ramp up efforts to have the communities of Jacksonville find out how different candidates view this issue. I ask that you find out the candidates views. The more we hear  what a candidates view is the harder for them to turn on the view in office when elected. When District 7 Dr. Johnny Gaffney    filled out his view card that Equality Florida had sent to him before the election he was  a supporter of changing the HRO even stated he was a supporter of full Equality Marriage. Then Aug 15, 2012 we saw he was the deciding vote to make bill 2012-296 go down in defeat. So if you believe in an issue at the city level keep the feet of the candidate in the fire to find out how they view an issue. But also keep in mind they may not know about that issue. For me as a candidate I did not know about people wanting to keep chickens in Springfield. I have talked to a few people to get better educated on the issue. So educate them why it is important to you and the City of Jacksonville.
Thanks
James Eddy
4 Dist 7 City Council Jacksonville 2015

[Dog Walker]

People in the urban neighborhoods not only want to keep chickens in their back yards, they ARE keeping chickens in their back yards and just want to be legal about it.

[ChriswUfGator]

I can't believe there is even discussion over this, let alone a battle. Seems ridiculous to me that we're the last major (and got beat by most of the minor ones too) city in the state to pass one, in some cases by a very substantial length of time. You've got Preston Haskell, the jax chamber, and every other business group saying they're having difficulty hiring because for whatever reason's important to the job prospect it factors into their decision to not move here. They've stated very practical reasons for having one. On the other hand you have the religious zealots that first baptist keeps perpetually stirred up because its profitable for the management, with no argument other than "I say god says...", which is neither a practical reason, nor an appropriate argument on a public policy issue. It's truly a no-brainer.

[Stephen]

I have been told by friends who live in Riverside- Avondale that the City Councilman for that area voted against the Human Rights Ordinance and they are gunning for him when/if he runs again. I'm not a Baptist and I am getting very tired of having my life dictated to by First Baptist Church.

[Stephen]

No offense but I actually like living here. I am a little shocked by how backward some things are but I love the climate and I love living in Avondale. I feel badly because I don't think most people know how wonderful Jacksonville actually is. I know that this is an internet site so it will be plagued with internet "Know it alls " who think they run the site and the city but please do not try to read my mind. People who sit in their parents basements eating cheetos while opining on internet sites really need to get a life.My life is not run by First Baptist and never will be but I don't think that has sunk in at First Baptist. I know of two top rated physcians who were recruited by Baptist Hospital that refused to move here because of the lack of a Human Rights Ordinance. It does matter to a lot of people.

[AshleyLauren]

This is great and is one of the main things I love about the GLBT community. They don't quit, and if they fail they patch up their wounds and keep moving. This is a great reason to get a lot of the city involved, both for and against this movement, on a local level for voting. Using the next year to educate individuals that their vote matters more at the local level than at any other. If people had been more involved at the last election then the vote last year may have been very different. Regardless, the argument about FBC dictating the cities statutes is an endless battle with no end, so perhaps a different approach is warranted, gentleman.

[Stephen]

Maybe what needs to happen is for First Baptist to stop thinking it can dictate policy to the City. Separation of Church and State is a very good thing