Date: Wed, 3 May 1995 10:51:44 -0500 (CDT) From: Kevyn Jacobs To: "Kansas Queer News [KQN]" Subject: KANSAS: UDK: Lawrence Ordinance passed, Education continues FROM THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS - LAWRENCE APRIL 27, 1995 ================================ ORDINANCE PASSED, BUT EDUCATION TO CONTINUE By Sarah Morrison Kansan staff writer Simply Equal members celebrated victory Tuesday night after the City Commission voted to extend antidiscrimination protection to people on the basis of sexual orientation. But the work of the coalition that campaigned for the change for more than two years is far from over, co-chairman Ben Zimmerman said. "We've done a lot of education over the past two years, and that education will continue," Zimmerman said. Comments made by some of the opponents of the new provision at Tuesday's meeting showed many people were misinformed about what the amendment meant, Zimmerman said. "I think people are confused. Their arguments led me to believe they are confusing the ordinance with affirmative action," Zimmerman said. Zimmerman said some people thought they would be forced to hire or house a certain number of homosexuals, which is not the case. The amendment, which is expected to go into effect after approval of a second reading next week, would make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in housing, employment, and public accommodations. Ray Samuel, director of Lawrence's human relations department, agreed that many of the opponents who spoke to the commission Tuesday where misinformed. The city plans to hold seminars following the second reading to educate the public about the new provision, Samuel said. Neither asking people their sexual orientations on an application nor hiring a certain number of homosexuals would be required, Samuel said. Another misconception was that it would require religious organizations to hire homosexuals. "People just need to look under the definitions in the ordinance to see religious organizations are exempt," Samuel said. Making sure the public is informed about the new provision is a priority for the city following the finalization of the vote, Samuel said. "There are no special rights or privileges being granted to anyone," he said. "The amendment provides a vehicle to protect all the citizens of Lawrence from unlawful discrimination. We want to make sure no one is denied the opportunity to make a living because of their sexual orientation, that is what this is all about."