Date: Thu, 18 May 1995 16:00:31 -0500 (CDT) From: Kevyn Jacobs To: "Kansas Queer News [KQN]" Subject: NT: LAWRENCE GETS HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE FROM THE NEWS-TELEGRAPH MAY 12-25, 1995 ========================== LAWRENCE GETS HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE LAWRENCE KS - A cheer went up in the city commission meeting room on April 25 when a commission vote made Lawrence the first city in Kansas to adopt an anti-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation. The commission voted 3-2 to amend the city's human relations ordinance to include the words "sexual orientation," thus granting Lawrence citizens the right to file complaints with the city over allegations of discrimination based on sexual orientation. The ordinance, which defines sexual orientation as "heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality," covers discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. Simply Equal, a broad-based coalition of Lawrence individuals and organizations, began working for the change two years ago. But the fight for equal rights for Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals has been going on in Lawrence for nearly a decade. Lynne Green, co-chair of Simply Equal, said that since 1986 four separate task forces organized to study the problem of discrimination have unanimously recommended the addition of sexual orientation to the city's human relations ordinance. She told the commission that Simply Equal had rallied the support of over 1,000 Lawrence residents, 300 businesses and 65 churches and synagogues. Though all of the commissioners had previously taken stands on the issue, more than fifty people made their way to the front of the crowded meeting room to speak out for or against the amendment. Supporting the amendment were individuals from the community, as well as religious leaders and representatives of organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, and Amnesty International. many spoke out against the irrational rhetoric and misinformation they said were widely used by opponents of civil rights. They specifically attacked the claim that Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual people do not need legal protection against discrimination and that anti-discrimination ordinances that included sexual orientation are a granting of "special rights." "Many people are excluded from the US Constitution," said Maurice Bryan, director of Affirmative Action at the University of Kansas. "Our history of civil rights battles strives to reinclude these people." Bryan said that there are only two side issues surrounding the proposed amendment: "Either we are comfortable with discrimination or we are not." After proponents of the amendment spoke, opponents had their turn. Many of them told the commission that even though they were against the amendment, they were not homophobes and did not support discrimination/against Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual people. Several voiced concerns about increase cost for investigation and litigation they claimed the new ordinance would incur. Eric Schmidt, a Lawrence resident, said the ordinance reeked of "heavy-handed government," and that its passage would send the city "down a dark and slippery path." Many opponents attempted to make religious or moral arguments against the ordinance saying that it would erode the city's moral fabric and that they didn't. want their children to be exposed to values they didn't agree with. The Reverend William Dulin told the commission that "unless we have the moral courage to stand against the evils that underlie (the amendment), this city is going to be up against something that (it) will not like." Mayor Bob Moody, who voted against the amendment, expressed his concern that the division created by the issue be resolved. "We have tonight before us a divided Lawrence," he said. "This ordinance is not going to end discrimination. In fact it may drive some deeper wedges. I hope not. I hope we can come together now as a whole and let the healing begin." Despite Moody's comments, opponents vowed to continue their fight: against the ordinance. "This is just round one," said the Reverend Leo Barbee, Pastor of Victory Bible Church and a leading opponent of the amendment. "The war isn't over. Ultimately, God wins the war." Opponents hinted that the next step will be a petition drive to force a public vote on the ordinance. The victory for the amendment's supporters was made possible in part by the recent election of Allen Levine, a supporter of the amendment, to the city commission. Levine, who overcame a sixth place finish in the primary election to capture a seat on the commission, beat out three candidate who opposed the ordinance. He joined incumbent commissioner Jo Anderson and newly reelected John Nalbandian in making the majority that passed the new ordinance. Levine said, "If you're not vigilant, they (civil rights) can be taken away." He also told the gathering at the Simply Equal victory party after the meeting, "It's correct for Lawrence, with its history, to be at the forefront of civil rights issues. It's been a damn great day." ========================================================== Permission granted by the News-Telegraph for distribution to the KQN email list (KQN@casti.com), and archiving in the Queer Resources Directory (QRD) on the Internet (http://www.qrd.org/QRD). 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