City Council members Gulliford, Hazouri plan requests over LGBT referendum

[Tacachale]

City Council members Bill Gulliford, Tommy Hazouri plan requests over LGBT referendums
By David Bauerlein Wed, Dec 16, 2015 @ 8:57 am | updated Wed, Dec 16, 2015 @ 7:21 pm


Bob.Mack@jacksonville.com

Jacksonville voters should decide whether the city will add lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to the city's anti-discrimination law, City Councilman Bill Gulliford said Wednesday as he filed legislation calling for a voter referendum. It's the first volley in what promises to be multiple pieces of legislation heading to the City Council on the hot-button issue, which has drawn hundreds of people to town hall meetings convened by Mayor Lenny Curry.

Gulliford said a referendum would bring closure to the controversial issue, which first came up in 2012 when the City Council rejected the ordinance.

"The big reason is the finality of it," Gulliford said of his push for a referendum.

Gulliford's legislation says the Aug. 30 referendum would ask voters if they support adding protection against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

As word spread of Gulliford's intention, City Councilman Tommy Hazouri said he is putting the finishing touches on his own piece of legislation that would have the council enact protections for LGBT people. He said the council should decide the issue rather than go through a referendum that would be "a great divide — a further divide — in this community at a time we're trying to move forward."

"That's why we're all elected, to make those tough decisions," Hazouri said. "If he [Gulliford] is not brave enough to make that tough decision on his own, then shame on him."

...

[wanderson91]

Bless Tommy Hazouri. There's really no need for this to be put in front of the voters. We elected these people to the City Council for a reason.

[thelakelander]

A referendum sounds like a move to protect our elected leaders from....leading.

[Tacachale]

^Yeah, pretty much. The whole purpose of having a City Council is to make these kind of decisions.

[UNFurbanist]

^For sure! Plus I feel like when it comes to rights and protections of minority communities it should never be put up for the majority to decide.

[lynchpw]

I wanted to share the open letter I recently sent to each of our City Council Members, Mayor Curry and other local news outlets. I hope it offers a new perspective on the matter as the city moves forward on this issue.

Dear Jacksonville City Council Member,

I am writing you today about our Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) and the current discussion on expanding this ordinance. I wanted to provide a new perspective that may help you understand why it's important for the council to decide whether to expand the City's HRO to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

Below is a listing of the 10 largest employers, ranked by number of area employees, in our city according to the Jacksonville Business Journal's 2014-2015 Books of Lists. These ten employers alone employ over 50,000 area citizens. Additionally, you will find a quote which highlights or describes the organization's commitment to diversity and inclusiveness, as taken from their respective website (emphasis is mine).

1.   Baptist Health
Treat those we serve and each other with dignity, compassion and integrity and foster a culture of inclusiveness that celebrates the diversity of all individuals

2.   Florida Blue
We're committed to a diversified workplace through people, ideas, disciplines, perspectives and styles so that together we can make a positive impact on the customer, colleagues, and communities of Florida. We believe in recognizing employees for their contributions to the overall success of Florida Blue. And, most importantly, employees make lifelong connections with others who helped build a foundation for our innovative health care solutions today.

3.   Publix
Diversity is a very good thing. Not just for the physical differences, but because of the fresh ideas and unique perspectives a diverse group of people provides. So Publix hires lots of different kinds of people. We make it a priority to employ and work with people from many backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and ethnicities.

4.   Mayo Clinic
Diversity and inclusion are integral to Mayo Clinic's mission to provide excellent, culturally relevant care in a welcoming environment to patients from a wide variety of backgrounds and creating an inclusive work environment where differences are valued, allowing individuals to achieve and contribute to their fullest potential.

5.   St. Vincent's Healthcare
Our Mission, Vision, and Values call us to respect and compassion for the diversity and dignity of life. In everything that Ascension Health (St. Vincent's Parent Company) stands for, it is clear that diversity is not only something we should embrace, it is something we need so we are consistent with who we truly are and what we should become. To stand in genuine solidarity with every person in our society, we must strive to enrich our own corporate culture with individuals who make up the diversity of the communities we serve.

6.   Bi-Lo Holdings LLC (now Southeastern Grocers)
Each of us has a unique background and perspective, which only strengthens our team. All voices, opinions and beliefs are different and should be heard. We work to leverage diversity across race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, work experience and individual perspectives in order to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where every associate feels free to share their unique experiences and ideas.

7.   JP Morgan Chase Bank
Diversity is a cornerstone of our global corporate culture, and we continue to build upon it by:
•   Identifying top talent and building development plans accordingly;
•   Seeking a diverse slate of candidates for all key job openings;
•   Building a pipeline for diverse talent by working closely with universities and key industry groups;
•   Actively involving our people – through business resource groups, annual forums, open discussions with senior leaders, seeking input on multicultural marketing efforts, and partnering on community activities; and
•   Offering a comprehensive set of policies, programs and benefits to meet the changing needs of a wide spectrum of individuals

8.   CSX
Nurturing a diverse organization is also essential to our success. We seek to recruit and develop our employees without regard to age, gender, race, tenure, physical challenges, sexual orientation, geographic location, education level, life experiences or income. Employees are eligible to participate in inclusion groups and councils focused on a shared interest such as ethnicity or gender.

9.   Citigroup
Our Code of Conduct prohibits discrimination and harassment. To foster a culture of acceptance and respect throughout Citi, we offer training to employees on topics.

10.   UF Health Jacksonville
Inclusion must be embraced to achieve and maintain excellence and a competitive advantage. 
The College of Medicine (at University of Florida) will promote excellence where all students, residents, faculty and staff can interact in an inclusive environment enhanced by differences in race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, sexual identity, age, disability, geography and socioeconomic status.

Did the Board of Directors and Senior Leaders for these companies take it to an employee vote to decide whether or not to have this level of commitment to their employees? NO! They made the decision themselves. It was not a hard decision, but a practical one.

These companies understand the importance of diversity and inclusion and so should Jacksonville. Using their words I'll have them explain:

An expanded HRO is essential to our success in order to achieve and maintain excellence and provide a competitive advantage that strengthens our team. Our City should create a culture of acceptance and respect that brings fresh ideas and unique perspectives. Jacksonville needs to stand in genuine solidarity with every person in our society. City Council needs to celebrate the diversity of this City and together we can make a positive impact. Our elected city officials should help their citizens achieve and contribute to their fullest potential. We need an HRO that is the cornerstone of our culture.

Respectfully,

[Tacachale]

^Well put. Thanks for sharing.

[Jimmy]

Thank you for that, lynchpw, and others.  Bill Gulliford's move is so... cheap.  And it avoids nothing for the council who still must debate the referendum measure.  And there's no guarantee the Mayor will sign off since Bill jumped into the middle of his process.  We'll see.



FYI, we have 2016-2 now filed with the Council:

http://cityclts.coj.net/coj/COJbillDetail.asp?F=2016-0002%5COriginal%20Text

[Charles Hunter]

Council President Anderson announced there will be three meetings of the City Council as a Committee of the Whole, to discuss the 2 HRO bills. Meetings will be on Thursday afternoons from 3 to 6 pm. Thereby excluding anyone with a 9 to 5 type job.http://floridapolitics.com/archives/197849-committee-of-the-whole-to-consider-jax-hro-bill

[Tacachale]

Council President Anderson announced there will be three meetings of the City Council as a Committee of the Whole, to discuss the 2 HRO bills. Meetings will be on Thursday afternoons from 3 to 6 pm. Thereby excluding anyone with a 9 to 5 type job.http://floridapolitics.com/archives/197849-committee-of-the-whole-to-consider-jax-hro-bill

Probably for the best. People have had plenty of chances to speak their minds, it's time to let the council do their job.

[tufsu1]

Council President Anderson announced there will be three meetings of the City Council as a Committee of the Whole, to discuss the 2 HRO bills. Meetings will be on Thursday afternoons from 3 to 6 pm. Thereby excluding anyone with a 9 to 5 type job.http://floridapolitics.com/archives/197849-committee-of-the-whole-to-consider-jax-hro-bill

Probably for the best. People have had plenty of chances to speak their minds, it's time to let the council do their job.

I assume you are not opposed to against public comment on specific legislation?

[Tacachale]

Council President Anderson announced there will be three meetings of the City Council as a Committee of the Whole, to discuss the 2 HRO bills. Meetings will be on Thursday afternoons from 3 to 6 pm. Thereby excluding anyone with a 9 to 5 type job.http://floridapolitics.com/archives/197849-committee-of-the-whole-to-consider-jax-hro-bill

Probably for the best. People have had plenty of chances to speak their minds, it's time to let the council do their job.

I assume you are not opposed to against public comment on specific legislation?

I'm not against public comment at all. There have been plenty of opportunities for exhaustive public comments on this issue, and it's time to pull the damn trigger.

[tufsu1]

^ there has been no recorded public comment on either of the proposed bills.

[Tacachale]

^ there has been no recorded public comment on either of the proposed bills.

And your point is what? We just got through three town hall panels devoted to the public discussing the this single issue. The opinions have been exhaustively covered.

[Jimmy]

 I guess will learn more about this in the days to come, but nothing about the Anderson process precludes the public from sending their thoughts to the council. Or, for that matter, attending regular council meetings and offering blue card public comment between now and March 3.

I know for a fact that the hundreds of people have written to their councilmembers opposing 16-1 and supporting 16-2.