Mayor Curry says he'll decide this month on LGBT issue

[thelakelander]

Mayor Lenny Curry said Tuesday in a meeting with the Times-Union editorial board he will decide this month whether he will support or oppose expanding the city's anti-discrimination law to cover lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

"What I can tell you is that you'll have clarity from me this month," he said. "That's my plan."

Curry said he continues to meet with groups and individuals to hear their views, and he also is consulting with attorneys to better understand what federal laws and court rulings might provide protection to LGBT people.

He said there are "some smart, passionate people on both sides who make points that matter when you start talking about legislation."

Full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2016-01-05/story/mayor-curry-says-hell-decide-month-lgbt-issue

[martt12]

I don't see what's so hard about giving equal rights... For Christ sakes it's gay marriage is legal now!!!

[tufsu1]

^ I think Mayor Curry may be hoping that existing Federal laws are broad enough to cover all issues.  That way, he doesn't have to sign any new local laws, allowing him to maintain relationships with the far right in the Republican party and religious conservatives (both parties).

[Tacachale]

^I highly doubt that's the case.

But anyway, here we go, folks. Fingers crossed.

[Jimmy]

Yep, we're coming down to it.  The General Counsel, Jason Gabriel, has been pretty clear that Federal law doesn't provide the kinds of protections for LGBT people in Jacksonville that are provided by including sexual orientation and gender identity in our local ordinance. 

We know from the history of 2012 that the Mayor's prerogative plays a big role in what happens on this front, or not.  As Mayor Curry processes all the information we've given him, I'm encouraging my friends to reach out to him and ask that he support, in concept at least, the Hazouri-Love-Bowman bill and not the Gulliford kick-the-can-plan.

[FlaBoy]

Can someone provide the exact wording of the proposed Human Rights Ordinance revision?

[TheCat]

Yep, we're coming down to it.  The General Counsel, Jason Gabriel, has been pretty clear that Federal law doesn't provide the kinds of protections for LGBT people in Jacksonville that are provided by including sexual orientation and gender identity in our local ordinance. 

We know from the history of 2012 that the Mayor's prerogative plays a big role in what happens on this front, or not.  As Mayor Curry processes all the information we've given him, I'm encouraging my friends to reach out to him and ask that he support, in concept at least, the Hazouri-Love-Bowman bill and not the Gulliford kick-the-can-plan.

What the difference between Hazouri-Love and Gulliford? Are there two separate bills?

Will Hazouri's name make it more difficult to gain support from Curry.

[Tacachale]

Yep, we're coming down to it.  The General Counsel, Jason Gabriel, has been pretty clear that Federal law doesn't provide the kinds of protections for LGBT people in Jacksonville that are provided by including sexual orientation and gender identity in our local ordinance. 

We know from the history of 2012 that the Mayor's prerogative plays a big role in what happens on this front, or not.  As Mayor Curry processes all the information we've given him, I'm encouraging my friends to reach out to him and ask that he support, in concept at least, the Hazouri-Love-Bowman bill and not the Gulliford kick-the-can-plan.

What the difference between Hazouri-Love and Gulliford? Are there two separate bills?

Will Hazouri's name make it more difficult to gain support from Curry.

Two radically different bills. Gulliford's bill is to put the question to referendum. Hazouri's bill, backed by Jim Love and Aaron Bowman, is for a fully inclusive HRO decided by the Council.

The referendum is a way for the Council to get out of what they're elected and paid to do. Supposedly, it's sort of a "nuclear option" to try and force both sides to compromise. Hazouri's bill is what should happen, but the Mayor needs to be the driving force one way or the other.

[TheCat]

^Thanks.

Any thoughts on Curry holding out because Hazouri is leading on this in the council?

I'm hearing that Curry is playing a bit of hardball with him.

[Jimmy]

Who on the equality side has started a campaign to strip trans people out?!  I must have missed a memo or post or something.  Every meeting I'm in it is clearly stated that we need to protect everyone or no one.

We have a good bipartisan bill that's picking up steam, 2016-002.  Will it be a bumpy ride?  Absolutely.  But we've always known it would be.

[Tacachale]

^Thanks.

Any thoughts on Curry holding out because Hazouri is leading on this in the council?

I'm hearing that Curry is playing a bit of hardball with him.

In my opinion, I really don't think so. Hazouri has always been a leader on the HRO (he campaigned on it), but he was clear he wasn't making a move until the mayor was ready. He only put forward his bill when Gulliford pulled his stunt. But then, the conflict between the two of them is inscrutable to me.

[FlaBoy]

Again, does anyone have the exact wording of the proposed ordinances here? In the news reports, you rarely actually see the language.

[Jimmy]

To that point, Tacachale... Once Gulliford filed his bill, the floodgates were opened.  Hazouri showed the Mayor respect by not jumping the gun.  But once the door was opened, Tommy wasn't about to be on the other side of it.


FlaBoy, sorry.  I missed your message.

Here's the one I like: http://cityclts.coj.net/coj/COJbillDetail.asp?F=2016-0002%5COriginal%20Text

[spuwho]

I wish I was more impressed with this process.  Honestly, after one of the people on the Equality side started campaigning to strip trans people from the HRO, I kind of checked out.

It seems like the HRO passage will wholly end up being the product of Republicans.  Not a bad thing, I suppose, but still unfinished in order to appeal to their base, instead of also having to deal with a more inclusive consensus view.

As one who believes Repubs have generally lost their way, would you say this process is a step in the right direction or is Curry just going through the motions?

[mtraininjax]

backed by Jim Love

Wait did Jim Love do something right? No flamethrowers to his name on this thread? How about some kudos to him, Bowman and Tommy. They stuck their necks out.

How about MJ showing some LOVE!