JAXHRO - 2014

[theduvalprogressive]

The people of Jacksonville deserve a more inclusive HRO which extends protections to all persons regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, arrest record, conviction record or military service. The current HRO fails to address the needs of several large populations within the city and desperately needs an update. Join us in fighting for our right to be respected and to not be discriminated against for who we are.

These protections are important because discrimination impacts huge demographics of the Jacksonville population. The LGBTQ population often goes unnoticed to the public eye, but many LGBTQ folks suffer more discrimination due to race and ethnicity on top of their sexual orientations, gender identities, or expressions. These issues intersect with those of veterans and non-violent ex-offenders as a disproportionate number of LGBTQ folks, trans women of color in particular, are targeted by the "justice" system every year and still more have served in our military, only to come home to prejudice and violence. Everyone deserves to be treated fairly in the workplace and to be given an equal chance to obtain gainful employment, housing and services, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, arrest and conviction record, or military service history.

For more information, like our Facebook page here – https://www.facebook.com/jax.hro.now! If you would like to get involved in the effort and are dedicated to effecting change in Jacksonville, request to be added to the HRO workgroup page.

Please SHARE and SIGN the petition at: https://www.change.org/petitions/residents-of-duval-county-florida

http://www.change.org/petitions/residents-of-duval-county-florida-and-jacksonville-city-council-support-the-cause-for-an-all-inclusive-human-rights-ordinance-for-jacksonville-florida-support-hrojax-2014?utm_medium=email&utm_source=notification&utm_campaign=new_petition_recruit

[JayBird]

I agree with this and this is the third or fourth petition that's been making the rounds in the past two weeks both on Facebook and on King Street (I even commented on how it's been years since I signed an actual paper petition). But all that aside, isn't there already thread that discusses this? Might make sense to attach this to the existing discussion so people can familiarize themselves if they are unaware of the extent that COJ has gone to suppress this issue.

But regardless I do hope this gets brought to the legislation and passed. It will be a huge step for this big little country city.

[BridgeTroll]

Before I sign... has arrest and conviction, and military service history been added to the list of discriminations to be protected against?  I understand race, ethnicity, sexual orientation/identity... the other two not so much... 

[IrvAdams]

Excellent! I'm with you. We came so close to passing a similar law a year or so ago, it's time to press for it again. Thanks for the post.

[ChriswUfGator]

Though I certainly understand that there's a difference between an arrest record and a conviction, and though I believe that needs to be addressed at some point, I think it's something of a strategic blunder to include it in the bill at this time. The HRO is by itself already a hard enough sell on its own around here, adding new categories, especially an often-misunderstood one, appears to increase the risk of being voted down again.

[Intuition Ale Works]

Supporters of the HRO also need to take into account that Yarborough is the next City Council President and I doubt that he will be supportive.

[BridgeTroll]

I agree Chris... a clear explanation by proponents of the bill would be helpful.  Why the new categories?  What were the issues for these categories to be added?  Are we talking about convicted sexual offenders?  Dishonorably discharged service members?

[Tacachale]

It's a nice thought, but a very modest and reasonable bill to add sexual orientation was already voted down by the City Council. And it only got as far as it did because gender identity and expression were specifically removed. Why would we think a bill including all those things plus arrest record, conviction record, and military service would fly with the same council, especially when Yarborough is the incoming president? And we can assume the mayor will pull the same backroom shenanigans as he did last time.

I think we're better off waiting for 2015 when hopefully we'll have a better council.

[BridgeTroll]

I agree Chris... a clear explanation by proponents of the bill would be helpful.  Why the new categories?  What were the issues for these categories to be added?  Are we talking about convicted sexual offenders?  Dishonorably discharged service members?