Bill banning discrimination based on sexual orientation to be filed at Jacksonvi

[Tacachale]

This is important, if not exactly front-page stuff.

Bill banning discrimination based on sexual orientation to be filed at Jacksonville City Council


Legislation to ban anti-gay discrimination could be introduced next week at Jacksonville's City Council.

The change is being backed by a web of business organizations and elected officials, who are framing it largely as a tool for promoting business growth.

The bill would bring Jacksonville into the same posture as other large Florida cities by formally forbidding discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations -- places like restaurants and hotels -- based on a person's sexual orientation or sexual identity.

"You shouldn't be able to fire someone because they're gay. You shouldn't be able to do that in Jacksonville," said former Mayor John Delaney, who has been active in assembling supporters for the legislation.

Jacksonville already has legislation that bans discrimination based on factors including race, gender and nationality, and the new measure would add sexual orientation and identity to that list.

Delaney said he hopes to schedule a meeting with Mayor Alvin Brown about the measure.

Councilman Warren Jones said he agreed to sponsor the bill after talking with retired politicians including Delaney and former Council President Matt Carlucci.

"It's a matter of conscience," Jones said Monday.

"To me, its not so much whether everyone agrees with the lifestyle or not. It's more whether you discriminate."

Jones said he hopes to file legislation by noon Wednesday, a deadline for a bill being introduced at next week's council meeting.

He said he may wait if he has questions or concerns about the wording in the bill.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-04-30/story/bill-banning-discrimination-based-sexual-orientation-be-filed

[Jimmy]

This results from a loooooong time effort, as Stephen states.  It's been tried several times, stretching back to the 90s.  The most recent iteration began about two years ago with the formation of the Jacksonville Committee for Equality.

Those who'd like to voice support for the measure, we'd be very grateful if you'd visit www.jaxequality.org and submit an online "petition" in favor.  There will be more ways to show support in the coming days as this begins to move through the Council...

[tufsu1]

well since we're the  only major city in Florida without such legislation, maybe this time it will pass!

[Anti redneck]

Are there still any more gay-bashing rednecks out there that would be against this? Hopefully they've gone back to whatever shack in the woods they've come from so they won't interfere.

[Dog Walker]

Ridiculous that this wasn't done long ago.

[Tonyinchicago]

This is important, if not exactly front-page stuff.

Bill banning discrimination based on sexual orientation to be filed at Jacksonville City Council


Legislation to ban anti-gay discrimination could be introduced next week at Jacksonville's City Council.

The change is being backed by a web of business organizations and elected officials, who are framing it largely as a tool for promoting business growth.

The bill would bring Jacksonville into the same posture as other large Florida cities by formally forbidding discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations -- places like restaurants and hotels -- based on a person's sexual orientation or sexual identity.

"You shouldn't be able to fire someone because they're gay. You shouldn't be able to do that in Jacksonville," said former Mayor John Delaney, who has been active in assembling supporters for the legislation.

Jacksonville already has legislation that bans discrimination based on factors including race, gender and nationality, and the new measure would add sexual orientation and identity to that list.

Delaney said he hopes to schedule a meeting with Mayor Alvin Brown about the measure.

Councilman Warren Jones said he agreed to sponsor the bill after talking with retired politicians including Delaney and former Council President Matt Carlucci.

"It's a matter of conscience," Jones said Monday.

"To me, its not so much whether everyone agrees with the lifestyle or not. It's more whether you discriminate."

Jones said he hopes to file legislation by noon Wednesday, a deadline for a bill being introduced at next week's council meeting.

He said he may wait if he has questions or concerns about the wording in the bill.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-04-30/story/bill-banning-discrimination-based-sexual-orientation-be-filed

Thank you for posting this.

[Tacachale]

Yes, thank you Jimmy. This has a real chance of passing this time, and it's a long time coming.

[Jimmy]

It's the good work of a lot of people in the community, not the least of which being Warren Jones and John Delaney.

Considering the list of people who say they're with us, I think it may actually happen.

I appreciate you for posting this, Tacachale.  I was meaning to earlier, but my day got very interesting at just after 12:30.

[duvaldude08]

Good work Jimmy and all invovled. It amazes me how Jacksonville is light years behind the rest of the country. I cant believe there was still a bill on the book allowing this.

[Charles Hunter]

I can count  3 "No" votes - Redman, Daniels, and Yarborough.  I hope they are the minority.

And good work Jimmy, and all who are working on this.

Discrimination against anyone, is bad for everyone.

[Anti redneck]

It's the good work of a lot of people in the community, not the least of which being Warren Jones and John Delaney.

Considering the list of people who say they're with us, I think it may actually happen.

I appreciate you for posting this, Tacachale.  I was meaning to earlier, but my day got very interesting at just after 12:30.

I wouldn't celebrate just yet. It actually has to pass, first. It just amazes me how there is a good possibility that it wouldn't pass. Jacksonville can be an embarrassment at times.

[brainstormer]

I think the council has changed for the better since the last election.  Never the less, I'm sure there will be some ridiculous statements from certain "special" councilmen during discussion portions of the bill.  Probably a few embarrassing public comments too.  Mayor Brown better support the bill as he claims to be so business friendly.  I think it says a lot about our business community that they are now being more aggressive.  I certainly have hope this time around.

[Jimmy]

I wouldn't celebrate just yet. It actually has to pass, first. It just amazes me how there is a good possibility that it wouldn't pass. Jacksonville can be an embarrassment at times.

I agree - there's a lot of work to get us from this moment to the finish line.  We have done some nose-counting, of course, and it looks very good in getting to 10 (and beyond).  UNF did some polling a few years ago at the request of the JHRC.  Something like 86% thought discrimination like this should be outlawed. 

Even the Council President was surprised to learn that we lack these protections.  He's in good company - a lot of people I talk to seem to be under the belief that there's some level of protection at the state or federal level.  Sadly, no, so cities and counties in Florida are passing them.  I think the latest to pass this was the town of Venice.  And before them, Volusia County.  This is hardly a fringe position in 2012.  We're playing a little catch-up, actually.

[duvaldude08]

I can count  3 "No" votes - Redman, Daniels, and Yarborough.  I hope they are the minority.

And good work Jimmy, and all who are working on this.

Discrimination against anyone, is bad for everyone.

Yeah Daniels is going to chunk the bible across the room when she hears this. 

[Garden guy]

Are there still any more gay-bashing rednecks out there that would be against this? Hopefully they've gone back to whatever shack in the woods they've come from so they won't interfere.

All you have to do is look up the street from council...theres a huge baptist church downtown that's been telling everyone to despise gays from day one of their existence..its in their charter i think