Human rights ordinance good for South Bend

MICHIANA POINT OF VIEW
5/14/06

As you may or may not know, sexual orientation is not included in state or federal law as a protected status. In accordance with current state or federal laws, it is possible to lose one's job due to sexual orientation.

Some say that homosexuality is a lifestyle choice and should not be elevated to a protected status. With this logic, some say other lifestyle choices such as excessive jewelry or tattooing are unacceptable in the workplace, and homosexuality should be too. The difference is appearance.

Tattoos and jewelry actually can make you look unprofessional, hurting both you and your company's image to your clients. Homosexuality is something that would neither affect your appearance nor your ability to perform well at work. Being professional in your job includes keeping your business life and your personal life separate. As long as anyone performs well at work, there should be no reason an employer would terminate employment based on personal choices. It is hypocritical to push for keeping personal problems out of the workplace, and then terminate someone for doing so. But adding sexual orientation is not only good for employees, it's also good for business.

Companies are realizing in today's fierce economy you must have the best and brightest at your side, and with expanded anti-discrimination policies this becomes possible. As of September 2005, 92 percent of Fortune 500 companies had added sexual orientation to their anti-discrimination policies. Discrimination will only limit the number of talented employees at a company's disposal, hindering a company's ability to work at peak efficiency.

Encouraging diversity not only opens up employment opportunities, but it also increases tolerance in and out of the workplace. Having tolerant and open work environments not only creates a more comfortable environment for employees, but it also improves the image of a company in its community. Tolerant attitudes are the basis for a strong community, serving as a beacon to further attract talent from around the nation.

It's because of the benefits tolerance produces for our community that we must act to add this status to our list of protected persons. And with no required state or federal standard for this type of discrimination, it is at the community level that these changes can have the most effect. If we stand up as a community, the rest of the nation will soon notice.

Indiana's governor has already added sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected persons for state employees. As Gov. Mitch Daniels said in his policy statement, "Employment opportunities will be made in a manner that will advance the principles of equal employment opportunity." This has helped to illustrate that it is not a matter of conservative values versus liberal ideals. It is simply a question of fairness in the workplace. Taking this issue to partisan levels will only divide the community on an issue that is meant to bring it closer together.

In a city competing with the whole nation for its place on the economic totem pole, it's important for us to stand out from the crowd and make ourselves known. We are a center of industrial heritage, with the likes of Studebaker etched into our history. We are a center for higher education, with universities and colleges in ample supply. These are things for which we are known, and these are items people consider when considering locations for employment and education. Adding another positive snapshot of our community can do nothing but help our image in the nation.

Being known as a center of tolerance and acceptance is something that will register highly with those wanting good jobs and good environments for their families. Attracting these people will strengthen and diversify our community even more, raising us even further up in the national ladder.

It all starts with us right here at the local level. We have to stand up and show the nation we are a people who embrace one another's differences and grow stronger because of it. Amending our current city ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity is the first step we must all take to show others that we want to include everyone as we steadily rise higher on the economic ladder.

Joseph Jackmovich, South Bend