New Battle for a Human Rights Ordinance in Jacksonville
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Other/miscellaneous-banners/i-5whDmSG/0/O/montgomeryrightsbanner.jpg)
"Who are we to to deny basic human rights to any person? When did it become acceptable to make basic liberties exclusive to only those we choose to grant them to?" Robert Montgomery weighs in on the new effort to pass a Human Rights Ordinance in Jacksonville
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-aug-new-battle-for-a-human-rights-ordinance-in-jacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-aug-new-battle-for-a-human-rights-ordinance-in-jacksonville)
In my opinion instead of focusing in Jacksonville legislation, where its effect would seem more ceremonial than operational, the resources should be concentrated on making Tallahassee enact legislation. Florida does not have many, if any at all, laws barring discrimination against the LGBT community. They do not allow same sex marriage or union however they do allow same sex parent adoptions. They have no laws regarding employment discrimination unless you are employed directly through a govt agency and no laws regarding fair housing. Florida does however classify personal attack against someone or their property based on sexual orientation a hate crime, but I would imagine it is hard proving that.
However, I do support this and would hope it can be placed on the agenda an be approved, if only as a stepping stone to reach more effective state legislation.
Excellent
Right now there is talk of combing actions into one effort among various groups. The biggest obstacle currently is a lack of knowledge of one another. I work with Occupy Jacksonville and have been seeking to build bridges towards that.
Quote from: theduvalprogressive on August 07, 2013, 07:21:28 PM
Right now there is talk of combing actions into one effort among various groups. The biggest obstacle currently is a lack of knowledge of one another. I work with Occupy Jacksonville and have been seeking to build bridges towards that.
That's what is needed to make this work. Is this supposed to be attempted again soon or after the 2015 elections?
Quote from: theduvalprogressive on August 07, 2013, 07:21:28 PM
Right now there is talk of combing actions into one effort among various groups. The biggest obstacle currently is a lack of knowledge of one another. I work with Occupy Jacksonville and have been seeking to build bridges towards that.
The group Jacksonville Progressive Coalition is working to build bridges among like-minded groups. From our Facebook page:
QuoteOpen table group to foster cooperation among progressive individuals and groups in Jacksonville, welcoming labor union members, LGBT community members, Democrats, progressive third party members,environmentalist, immigrant and immigration advocacy groups, voting rights advocates, workers rights activist, advocates for the differently-able, women's rights advocates, civil rights, community, student activist, activist retirees, those involved in grassroots and single issue advocacy, and others who are interested in networking their issues, and developing cooperative action and mutual support across the broad spectrum of progressive thinkers and activist in North Florida.
Facebook page link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/426159774138501/
We meet Sunday, August 18, at 5:00pm at the IBEW Hall at 966 North Liberty. The primary agenda item this month will be the potential renaming of Nathan Bedford Forrest High School. But we will talk about other topics, too, and the HRO is on our radar.
There is a group called Embrace Jax on Facebook that was working with Jimmy. At least, that's what my neighbor told me. She is working with them. Just checked their page, and this article is posted on it, so I guess he has been in touch with them.
Ets all start discriminating again redneck baptist christians and we will all see how fast this city passes a human right ord. If it hits close to home we may see something
Social media has definitely created more connective tissue between the groups that have become interested in passing the human rights ordinance amendment. And between Embrace and Occupy and the Progressive Coalition and the Committee for Equality, there's been a lot of coordination and communication. What seems to set the current efforts apart from last year's push is that the various groups may have their own strategies and methods in mind to make change. And these proceed more or less independently, but ideally with some coordination. Having an overlap in membership between the groups is helping that along.
From the perspective of the Committee, we've made some changes to our structure and new folks are onboard to facilitate and perform the more routine tasks that keeps an organized effort rolling along. That group has been meeting monthly. Personally, I don't see a "new battle" underway for the HRO, but a continuation of what began in 2010. There are definitely new groups, individuals, focus, and energy - all of which are needed and welcome.
The Times-Union ran a story over the weekend that touches on sort of "where we are" with all of this. http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-08-03/story/advocates-expanding-gay-rights-jacksonville-say-their-work-not-done-yet
The ultimate goal is an amended human rights ordinance that adds the words sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to the existing HRO sections of the municipal code.
In response to JayBird, it would definitely be ideal if we could get some action on this at the state level. However, the current makeup of the state legislature (not to mention the Governor...) makes action at the state level even more problematic than in Jacksonville. Anything positive related to LGBT rights at the state level - ever - has come through court cases. There is a state-wide equality organization, Equality Florida, and they work at the state and local level. As it is, something in excess of 50% of the Florida population is covered by city and county HRO protections. Some see Jacksonville as an important linchpin. There's a belief that if we can pass these protections in Jacksonville, it would send a strong signal to the legislature and perhaps the next Governor. There's also Federal legislation pending, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that would address the workplace. It's had some positive movement in the United States Senate this year and the White House is supportive. The House of Representatives, however, makes ENDA's future uncertain. In the meantime, I think we have to think globally and act locally to get these important human rights protections enacted in Duval County.
The movement in Jacksonville is moving forward. We have lots of groups that now see after the defeat of the amending the HRO which lost 2-17 that Jacksonville and our City Council need to wake up to reality. We had two forms of the bill last year and the main bill that had gender identity and gender expression is the true bill. A majority of people do not under stand what trans or gender identity is. Some one that is trans or gender identity is basically they are not the gender that they were born with so they transform into the other gender that they feel should been their gender at birth. Also trans does not define that persons sexual origination. Gender expression is where a person crosses or mixes ones gender. Example is a girl in a guys suit and tie. They are one gender, but express with the opposite gender or a mix of both. Jacksonville is the last major city with out all or part of this protection for housing and jobs. As a candidate for District 7 City Council I will make sure to get this passed but to make sure Equality and Diversity is a positive thing for Jacksonville. We live in this great city but it can be one the best cities in Florida or the country.
Quote from: Jimmy on August 08, 2013, 11:09:49 AM
In response to JayBird, it would definitely be ideal if we could get some action on this at the state level. However, the current makeup of the state legislature (not to mention the Governor...) makes action at the state level even more problematic than in Jacksonville. Anything positive related to LGBT rights at the state level - ever - has come through court cases. There is a state-wide equality organization, Equality Florida, and they work at the state and local level. As it is, something in excess of 50% of the Florida population is covered by city and county HRO protections. Some see Jacksonville as an important linchpin. There's a belief that if we can pass these protections in Jacksonville, it would send a strong signal to the legislature and perhaps the next Governor. There's also Federal legislation pending, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that would address the workplace. It's had some positive movement in the United States Senate this year and the White House is supportive. The House of Representatives, however, makes ENDA's future uncertain. In the meantime, I think we have to think globally and act locally to get these important human rights protections enacted in Duval County.
Thanks, that does make sense and I can see it where it would be advantageous to enact such a policy in Jax first.
I love that word "Dixiecrats" I'm going to start using that along with good ol boys, rednecks, morons, floridiots. I love this site! thanks for helping me expand my anti-confederate vocabulary!
Quote from: Charles Hunter on August 07, 2013, 08:57:24 PM
Quote from: theduvalprogressive on August 07, 2013, 07:21:28 PM
Right now there is talk of combing actions into one effort among various groups. The biggest obstacle currently is a lack of knowledge of one another. I work with Occupy Jacksonville and have been seeking to build bridges towards that.
The group Jacksonville Progressive Coalition is working to build bridges among like-minded groups. From our Facebook page:
QuoteOpen table group to foster cooperation among progressive individuals and groups in Jacksonville, welcoming labor union members, LGBT community members, Democrats, progressive third party members,environmentalist, immigrant and immigration advocacy groups, voting rights advocates, workers rights activist, advocates for the differently-able, women's rights advocates, civil rights, community, student activist, activist retirees, those involved in grassroots and single issue advocacy, and others who are interested in networking their issues, and developing cooperative action and mutual support across the broad spectrum of progressive thinkers and activist in North Florida.
Facebook page link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/426159774138501/
We meet Sunday, August 18, at 5:00pm at the IBEW Hall at 966 North Liberty. The primary agenda item this month will be the potential renaming of Nathan Bedford Forrest High School. But we will talk about other topics, too, and the HRO is on our radar.
Glad to know about this group. Thanks for sharing.
Jimmy, if I missed this please excuse me. Is this effort planned to take place after the 2015 elections. We know what the current council did when presented with the original bill. I am thinking that this issue is something that could be put before new candidates and perhaps we can see folks with more understanding elected next time around. Just my thoughts.
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.
Quote from: Jimmy on August 08, 2013, 03:19:23 PM
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.
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.
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.
Debbie, what district is Marc running for?
Jimmy Midyette for city council!
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.
Quote from: Jimmy on August 08, 2013, 08:58:28 PM
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
I agree StephenDare
Quote from: stephendare on August 22, 2013, 01:50:16 PM
Quote from: Stephen on August 22, 2013, 01:49:03 PM
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
Maybe what needs to happen is that we need to stop electing people who don't know the difference?
bingo
Quote from: stephendare on August 22, 2013, 01:50:16 PM
Quote from: Stephen on August 22, 2013, 01:49:03 PM
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
Maybe what needs to happen is that we need to stop electing people who don't know the difference?
Can we get this in tee shirts and bumper stickers, this can be a slogan for change in Jax because even though it is so simple a caveman could do it, it seems to be Jax's downfall time after time.
Charlotte defeats HRO ordinance 6-5.
Some supporters voted no because the ordinance had been changed at the meeting to eliminate a provision related to transgender use of public restroom facilities.
Among America's 20 biggest cities, only three – Charlotte, Memphis, Tenn., and Jacksonville, Fla. – are without the kind of nondiscrimination ordinance that came before the Charlotte City Council on Monday.
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article11908907.html#storylink=cpy
I guess this should make me feel better. But it really doesn't. Just bad for Charlotte, too.
QuoteThe debate took unusual turns at times. One man told City Council that he believes all bathrooms should be private, because it is difficult for him to urinate in public because of "shy bladder syndrome." Another sang a song about how roosters and stallions can't reproduce without hens and mares.
"Come on down to the farmyard!" Steve Triplett sang. He offered council his CD afterward.
Justice delayed is justice denied.
That said, opposing the bill because it removed the trans protections was a bad move. That language could have been added in later. When everyone's drowning already, you save as many as you can.
While I understand the pragmatism embodied in the sentiment above, I don't agree with it as a useful strategy for Charlotte or Jacksonville. What we saw here three years ago was the removal of transgender protections as a wedge that divided not only the LGBT community but also the more mainstream proponents.
Even in the city is progressive is Miami, which passed its first human rights ordinance on the basis of sexual orientation in 1991, it was just last year that they were finally able to include gender identity in the ordinance. And in my experience, it's trans people who are most often, and most recently, affected by this discrimination. Personally, I could never support but human rights amendment that left them behind.
Quote from: Jimmy on March 03, 2015, 12:20:50 PM
While I understand the pragmatism embodied in the sentiment above, I don't agree with it as a useful strategy for Charlotte or Jacksonville. What we saw here three years ago was the removal of transgender protections as a wedge that divided not only the LGBT community but also the more mainstream proponents.
Even in the city is progressive is Miami, which passed its first human rights ordinance on the basis of sexual orientation in 1991, it was just last year that they were finally able to include gender identity in the ordinance. And in my experience, it's trans people who are most often, and most recently, affected by this discrimination. Personally, I could never support but human rights amendment that left them behind.
I can understand that in theory, but holding out for a perfect bill means no one gets protected at all, as just happened in Charlotte.
IMO those Charlotte LGBT supporters should've voted for the 'weaken' ordinance, and I'm going to tell you why. Taking that half-a-step forward still would've been huge for LGBT homeowners etc. Taking half a step forward is better than taking no steps at all. This is the world of politics; President Obama had to compromise with Republicans concerning countless issues. Sometimes that "we are all in this together, heels dug in the ground" spirit ultimately can be detrimental for causes.
Quote from: I-10east on March 03, 2015, 02:04:40 PM
IMO those Charlotte LGBT supporters should've voted for the 'weaken' ordinance, and I'm going to tell you why. Taking that half-a-step forward still would've been huge for LGBT homeowners etc. Taking half a step forward is better than taking no steps at all. This is the world of politics; President Obama had to compromise with Republicans concerning countless issues. Sometimes that "we are all in this together, heels dug in the ground" spirit ultimately can be detrimental for causes.
Well, it would help LGB people, but not the T.
^^^That could've been passed later on (like Miami) versus starting all the way over from scratch. How likely are these public bathroom disagreements over one's sexual status? I'm willing to bet very scarce to nil. Moreso than ditching the transgender community, the LGBT supporters voted down over some highly unlikely disagreement scenario over who's going to a public restroom.
Timely editorial by the Times-Union.
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2015-03-03/story/its-myth-claim-jacksonvilles-lgbt-residents-arent-experiencing
Quote from: I-10east on March 03, 2015, 06:40:30 PM
^^^That could've been passed later on (like Miami) versus starting all the way over from scratch. How likely are these public bathroom disagreements over one's sexual status? I'm willing to bet very scarce to nil. Moreso than ditching the transgender community, the LGBT supporters voted down over some highly unlikely disagreement scenario over who's going to a public restroom.
Discrimination against trans people is alive and well. That's not the issue. The issue is that there could have been a bill that protected LGB while leaving out the T, and supporters held out for a full bill. Hopefully one day it will pass and there'll be protections for everyone, but in the meantime, everyone's left out to drown in Charlotte. Similar to Jacksonville.
Quote from: Jimmy on March 03, 2015, 08:29:41 PM
Timely editorial by the Times-Union.
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2015-03-03/story/its-myth-claim-jacksonvilles-lgbt-residents-arent-experiencing
Nice article.
^^^Yall didn't answer any of the issues the I brought up as to why Charlotte turned down the meat of a LGBT bill over (IMO) some bathroom nonsense. Sidetracking with some general LGBT related talking points about overall discrimination (in Jax BTW) isn't the issue here. Maybe it's time to stop calling Charlotte 'progressive; Yeah, it has a nice uptown, but no HRO to speak of. Make no mistake, there's no 'similar' in it, Charlotte is just like Jacksonville in regards to HRO status.
When I first came to MJ, I had no opinions in regards to LGBT rights. Over the years being on MJ, helped me understand why it's necessary for the LGBT community to get their rights. If Jax had a chance to pass the meat of a HRO, and some 'supporters' turned it down over some nonsense, I would've been PO'd at them. The Charlotte issue at hand specifically is an unlikely TS bathroom scenario, NOT discriminating the transgender community in every aspect like what's being portrayed.
^^ Based on the article I linked, there were two votes FOR the HRO that were changed from PRO to CON, because it had been weakened. There was no reference to votes changing from CON to PRO because of the change. That may be because there were no such votes. If that is the case then the original ordinance would have passed had this strategic error not been made.
As it stands, JAX had to weaken it's ordinance significantly, yet it still failed. There is no one on record as saying they would have supported it had it not been watered down.
^^^Yeah, I think that Charlotte definitely had the chance the pass it's HRO; Jacksonville with this separation of church and state issue, not so much.
Quote from: I-10east on March 04, 2015, 04:31:12 AM
^^^Yall didn't answer any of the issues the I brought up as to why Charlotte turned down the meat of a LGBT bill over (IMO) some bathroom nonsense. Sidetracking with some general LGBT related talking points about overall discrimination (in Jax BTW) isn't the issue here. Maybe it's time to stop calling Charlotte 'progressive; Yeah, it has a nice uptown, but no HRO to speak of. Make no mistake, there's no 'similar' in it, Charlotte is just like Jacksonville in regards to HRO status.
When I first came to MJ, I had no opinions in regards to LGBT rights. Over the years being on MJ, helped me understand why it's necessary for the LGBT community to get their rights. If Jax had a chance to pass the meat of a HRO, and some 'supporters' turned it down over some nonsense, I would've been PO'd at them. The Charlotte issue at hand specifically is an unlikely TS bathroom scenario, NOT discriminating the transgender community in every aspect like what's being portrayed.
It really wasn't "bathroom nonsense," though. They actually gave the entire council a prime example as to why the T needs to be included when they pass their HRO.
http://www.thestate.com/2015/03/04/4023671/transgender-woman-booted-from.html (http://www.thestate.com/2015/03/04/4023671/transgender-woman-booted-from.html)
QuoteDemocratic Party activist Janice Covington Allison says she was at first confused when a police officer approached her Monday night in a restroom at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center and told her she couldn't be there.
"I was looking in the mirror primping my hair --- cause I had just crossed the street in the wind --- and the policewoman said, 'I've had complaints. You have to leave,'" said Allison, the chairwoman of diversity and outreach for the N.C. Democratic Party.
"I was in shock. I asked her, 'Am I being arrested?' When we walked out the door, there were 20 people standing there, eyeballing me and pointing at me, and it was clear they were talking about me."
One called her a "pervert," she recalled.
In that moment, 67-year-old Allison --- a transgender woman --- had become an unwitting illustration of the debate over a controversial nondiscrimination ordinance. She was among the more than 100 people to address the City Council.
We have a bill moving, shamefully, in Tallahassee, aimed at hurting the trans community, even in places that have managed to pass an inclusive HRO.
Shameful.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2015/03/05/florida_trans_bathroom_bill_easily_survives_first_vote.html
Since the beginning of the Constitution, getting rights in the US has been a gradual process, even in the most liberal cities and states. Look at women's rights, the Civil Rights movement, etc; It's still undergoing metamorphosis in certain aspects. It wasn't a 'hocus pocus' snap of the finger and suddenly everyone have their rights. Is Charlotte better now, or would it have been better if the TS restroom laden HRO was passed? That's the bottomline. This is the world of politics, you get what you can get, or be completely left in the dust.
A very rare post to make a point that I believe must be made.
There would have been no Civil Rights Act of 1964 without the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Read Robert Caro's masterpiece on LBJ's career in the U.S. Senate, and you develop an appreciation for the painstaking work of legislation that truly transforms society. It doesn't happen in one fell swoop.
If Jacksonville is ever going to be successful in moving beyond this issue - and I think it must - there needs to be reasonable dialogue and a willingness to focus on a first successful step, however incremental it may be. We need to expand our horizons. We can't hurl insults while demanding respect from others. We can't be unwilling to compromise while demanding others do. We need to educate ourselves on how the public at-large sees the issue. (The vast majority are unaware, but they do view words like "the HRO" as divisive and are much more accepting of terminology like "anti-discrimination," etc.)
We often have a tendancy to live in our own worlds where everyone thinks like us. We can't be like that if we want to have movement on this issue. We have to listen, educate and be willing to take the first step - which isn't likely to be what all are demanding - or we'll still be having this same conversation in 2019.
^Very well stated, Abel.
Quote from: AbelH on March 06, 2015, 10:24:30 AM
We can't hurl insults while demanding respect from others.
Who's hurling insults??? I get sick and tired of that 'A resident of Jax can't critique another city' BS, but they can critique us right? Anyway, you and I agree with the 'one step at a time' approach.
Joseph Willis: Why I'm for the HRO
http://www.youtube.com/v/4Ihvho1M4K0?rel=0"
>
Bill Type and Number: Ordinance 2012-296
Introducer/Sponsor(s): Council Member Jones
Date of Introduction: May 8, 2012
Committee(s) of Reference: R, RCDPHS
Date of Analysis: May 10, 2012
Type of Action: Ordinance Code amendment
Bill Summary: The bill amends several chapter of the Ordinance Code to insert "sexual orientation, gender identity or expression" into the listings of personal conditions or statuses which may not be discriminated against. The amended chapters include: Chapter 60 - Human Rights Commission; Chapter 400 – Equal Opportunity/Equal Access; Chapter 402 – Equal Employment Opportunity; Chapter 406 – Public Accommodations; and Chapter 408 – Fair Housing. The bill includes definitions of "sexual orientation" and "gender identity or expression."
Background Information: The current list of personal conditions or statuses that may not be the subject of discrimination includes: race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age or disability.
Policy Impact Area: Non-discrimination status
Fiscal Impact: Undetermined
Analyst: Clements
You can find the entire bill here:
http://cityclts.coj.net/coj/COJbillDetail.asp?F=2012-0296\Current%20Text
Don't get bogged down in all the legislative legalize. We want a bill that does this:
Adds the words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity and expression" to the various city ordinances that prohibit nondiscrimination. These ordinances make it illegal to discriminate in the areas of housing, employment, and public accommodation.
It's as simple as that. Unfortunately, the ordinances are spread all over the code and the bill to provide the simple fix has to be... complex.
I'm sure he would if we asked him to.
But with the current Mayor and Council, it doesn't make much political sense. Nothing has changed in the ether that would alter the outcome from what we saw in 2012. Especially so considering the current Council President.
Better to wait for a better Council, at least, and hopefully better Mayor as well. That would be my counsel to all concerned.
I made some changes to my post.
I would ask him not to until we have a better Council incoming.
I'm saying there's no point in introducing new legislation until we know who is on the next Council.
The first thing the new Council has to grapple with is the budget. I'm not sure it makes sense to try and do the HRO until October.
But I'd like to see what the board looks like before plotting any moves.
Quote from: Jimmy on August 08, 2013, 03:19:23 PM
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.
Hate to resort to quoting myself, but my take on this hasn't changed since August 2013. http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,19224.msg340650.html#msg340650
My energy is best spent now trying to elect a Council and Mayor that will get this done. Everything in the Council right now is politicized. Look what's happening with the pension. Trying to shepherd a new HRO through this Council, while trying to get good people elected, would be working at cross-purposes. IMHO.
Jimmy is spot on. No bill is passing with this council and this mayor, even if most people in the city want it. Especially right now when the term is ending. Our energy is better spent in a few months when we'll have new council members, and hopefully, a new Mayor.