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

[Ajax]

He knows that if he says the wrong thing or do the wrong thing, he will have a bad image the rest of his tenure.

I think he's already getting a bad image by dithering. 

I cant really say Im disappointed because he has not said anything. I think at times its best to be silent and keep your mouth shut.

But by keeping his mouth shut, I think he's really saying something. 

Hopefully, he does the right thing.

I believe he will end up doing the right thing, but if there's already a perception among business leaders that our city is intolerant, then having a Mayor who has to be coaxed into supporting this no-brainer bill isn't going to help that perception. 

[Tacachale]

^+1.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Maybe I'm being just a tad naive, but just because a bill is passed saying that we won't discriminate based on 'x' mean that it still won't happen.  I think it just opens up more issues.

Well so-and-so didn't hire me because I'm a transvestite!  No.  You didn't get hired because you were unqualified and you showed up to your interview in a mini-skirt and a beard.

Discriminatory practices are going to happen regardless of what law is in place, and now it opens up the ACLU to bring suit for unfair practices that probably are going to be more fair before the bill is passed.

Take the issue with JFRD and their promotion practices.  I'm not claiming to know a whole lot about it, but if they, the white firemen & the black firemen, are taking the same WRITTEN exam for promotions, then how does that become a race issue and not a basic skills issue?  Why are they saying that the WRITTEN test is biased in favor of white firemen? 

Again, maybe I'm just too naive about the situation, but I don't see the good in any of this.

[Tacachale]

The good in it is that it would no longer be legal to fire, not hire, refuse entry, or refuse housing to someone just because they're gay. Will there still be discrimination? Of course. This is only a step. But it's a moral and practical necessity and it's a LONG time coming.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

The good in it is that it would no longer be legal to fire, not hire, refuse entry, or refuse housing to someone just because they're gay. Will there still be discrimination? Of course. This is only a step. But it's a moral and practical necessity and it's a LONG time coming.

I think you're looking at the gold-plated version.  Florida is alread a right-to-work state, so with regards to hiring and firing....  Your manager may let you go because you parted your hair the wrong way. 

Please tell me where on a public housing form it asks, "Guys, if you like cock, check here.  Girls, if you don't, check over here."  I'm being crass, but it's because I don't understand when 'sexual orientation' would come up.

And you have basically stated that you don't think it will actually work just, "...it's just a moral and practical necessity."

[Jimmy]

N-RW, it comes up easily.  If two guys go to rent a one-bedroom apartment together, and they're pretty obviously not brothers or missionaries, most people are going to pick up on the fact that there's something more going on than thrifty guys looking for a deal on rent.

At work, I don't know about you guys, but I like to keep a picture or two on my desk.  One of those pictures is me and my partner, and it's pretty obvious that we're family, not just buddies. 

This stuff comes up in 1,000 little ways because we live our lives honestly.  There was a time when we'd change pronouns, rent a two-bedroom apartment, and keep the pictures off our desks.  But who wants to live like that?  What kind of life are you living if you spend 40 or 168 hours of each week "lying" about who you are?

Right to work?  Yes, but that's mostly about labor unions.  It doesn't mean employers get to hire and fire based on discrimination.  And in Jacksonville, we have become conspicuous by our failure to enact these policies.  When we're falling behind not only Tampa and Orlando but behind Daytona and Venice, that's just crazy.  And it costs us nothing to do this.  It's a no-brainer to me.  It's as important as the mobility fee or better land-use policies.  This has become part of what matters to creatives and the employers who hire them.

Halverson talks about executives he couldn't hire because we don't have this simple ordinance.  We lost out on the Florida HQ of a major bank because the new President didn't want to live here with her partner.  This stuff is absolutely "feel good" for some of us, but it's a real issue for many others.

[Tacachale]

Well put, Jimmy.

NRW, I do believe it will work. It won't solve the problem in one fell swoop, but it's a necessary step. You'd have to be pretty naive to believe that in a city that elected Clay Yarborough to the city council twice, that there aren't any jackass landlords who've refused to rent a home to a gay couple because they didn't want two homosexuals shacking up on his property. This move would make such discrimination illegal.

And even if you don't believe that, the ordinance remains a practical necessity. As I've said, at UNF we've lost a number of desired hires over this issue. One recent assistant director level applicant we lost specifically mentioned the city's lack of protection for LGBT folks. Perhaps you're cool with losing top candidates to other cities. I'm not.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

N-RW, it comes up easily.  If two guys go to rent a one-bedroom apartment together, and they're pretty obviously not brothers or missionaries, most people are going to pick up on the fact that there's something more going on than thirty guys looking for a deal on rent.

At work, I don't know about you guys, but I like to keep a picture or two on my desk.  One of those pictures is me and my partner, and it's pretty obvious that we're family, not just buddies. 

This stuff comes up in 1,000 little ways because we live our lives honestly.  There was a time when we'd change pronouns, rent a two-bedroom apartment, and keep the pictures off our desks.  But who wants to live like that?  What kind of life are you living if you spend 40 or 168 hours of each week "lying" about who you are?

Right to work?  Yes, but that's mostly about labor unions.  It doesn't mean employers get to hire and fire based on discrimination.  And in Jacksonville, we have become conspicuous by our failure to enact these policies.  When we're falling behind not only Tampa and Orlando but behind Daytona and Venice, that's just crazy.  And it costs us nothing to do this.  It's a no-brainer to me.  It's as important as the mobility fee or better land-use policies.  This has become part of what matters to creatives and the employers who hire them.

Halverson talks about executives he couldn't hire because we don't have this simple ordinance.  We lost out on the Florida HQ of a major bank because the new President didn't want to live here with her partner.  This stuff is absolutely "feel good" for some of us, but it's a real issue for many others.

Jimmy, I agre with you and understand what you're saying, and I can see how it gives the impression that Jacksonville is a GLBT friendly city;  I just don't see how, in reality, it helps. 

Your landlord, after seeing the pictures will find a reason for you to be gone if he desires.

Employers will find reasons to let you go.  Future employers can find reasons not to hire you in the first place.

There is no law that can ban it.  There is no magical wand that will make it go away.   Bigots will always be bigots, and I don't see how a bill can ACTUALLY help the situation.  Perception? Maybe.

[Jimmy]

I guess I take the view that we don't give in.  We definitely don't give the haters and discriminators a license to keep doing it.  As a city we stand up and say that we're against it and we're for non-discrimination.

I'm often cynical, but there are times like these that I think doing something can make a difference.  That it can move the ball down the civic field.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I guess I take the view that we don't give in.  We definitely don't give the haters and discriminators a license to keep doing it.  As a city we stand up and say that we're against it and we're for non-discrimination.

I'm often cynical, but there are times like these that I think doing something can make a difference.  That it can move the ball down the civic field.

+1

[Steve_Lovett]

N-RW, it comes up easily.  If two guys go to rent a one-bedroom apartment together, and they're pretty obviously not brothers or missionaries, most people are going to pick up on the fact that there's something more going on than thrifty guys looking for a deal on rent.

At work, I don't know about you guys, but I like to keep a picture or two on my desk.  One of those pictures is me and my partner, and it's pretty obvious that we're family, not just buddies. 

This stuff comes up in 1,000 little ways because we live our lives honestly.  There was a time when we'd change pronouns, rent a two-bedroom apartment, and keep the pictures off our desks.  But who wants to live like that?  What kind of life are you living if you spend 40 or 168 hours of each week "lying" about who you are?

Right to work?  Yes, but that's mostly about labor unions.  It doesn't mean employers get to hire and fire based on discrimination.  And in Jacksonville, we have become conspicuous by our failure to enact these policies.  When we're falling behind not only Tampa and Orlando but behind Daytona and Venice, that's just crazy.  And it costs us nothing to do this.  It's a no-brainer to me.  It's as important as the mobility fee or better land-use policies.  This has become part of what matters to creatives and the employers who hire them.

Halverson talks about executives he couldn't hire because we don't have this simple ordinance.  We lost out on the Florida HQ of a major bank because the new President didn't want to live here with her partner.  This stuff is absolutely "feel good" for some of us, but it's a real issue for many others.

As another example, Arizona lost the Super Bowl for a few years in the early-mid '90's until it adopted/accepted the Martin Luther King National Holiday....

[Anti redneck]

According to the Times Union, religious leaders are actually speaking in support of this bill. Whatever their motive may be, they're supporting it. Brown will have to be in favor if he wants re-election.

[Timkin]

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...

+2 added

[Jaxson]

I think that it is easier for the business community to openly back the bill because it is akin to 'Nixon going to China' or Clinton signing onto welfare reform.  It is easier to cross the aisle and co-opt an issue than it is to be seen as 'pandering' to your base.  That said, I believe that the mayor is keeping his powder dry in this debate.  Speaking of Clinton, do we remember what happened when he went out on a limb to support gays in the military?  Yes, our politicians should lead but not without political cover to accomplish the rest of their agenda.

[duvaldude08]

I cant believe a big deal is being made about this. This is prime example why I city is not progressing. Regardless of your lifestyle you should be treated equal PERIOD. There are some very ignorant ass people in this city. If we dont add on sexual orientation, why have an anti-discrimination bill at all? Just do away with it all together if thats the case.