Let's set record straight on proposed ordinance addition

MICHIANA POINT OF VIEW

RHONDA REDMAN and CATHERINE PITTMAN
7/5/06

In response to a great deal of irrelevant and misleading information presented by Patrick Mangan's group, South Bend Equality would like to take this opportunity to set the record straight and to remind people what the proposed amendment to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the human rights ordinance is really about.

The only thing that this ordinance changes is that it allows an individual who feels he or she has been discriminated against on the basis of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity to enter the offices of South Bend's Human Rights Commission and ask someone to consider his or her case. Today, because this amendment is not yet enacted, both gay and straight individuals have no one to ask for assistance if they feel that they are facing such discrimination. In a word, the proposed amendment is about fairness.

Discrimination against GLBT people (and those perceived as such) is present in our community and it is, at this time, legal. Currently, South Bend's Human Rights Commission has authority to investigate claims of discrimination based only on race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin or ancestry and familial status. Amending the Human Rights Ordinance to add sexual orientation and gender identity would change that by giving the Human Rights Commission authority to investigate claims of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in the specific areas of employment, housing, education and public accommodation.

Members of South Bend Equality appreciate and respect the diverse religious beliefs regarding this issue. We have, from the beginning, supported an exemption for faith-based organizations. This would include places of worship. Those who say that this amendment will force churches to hire GLBT individuals are incorrect. Religious organizations have always been exempt from much of the original human rights ordinance. For example, some churches limit the roles of women within their organizations. This is, and always has been, legal. The proposed amendment would not change that. Those who are currently exempt would continue to be exempt.

Although Mangan's group would have you believe that this proposed amendment would give "special rights" to GLBT individuals, the truth is that everyone would be protected from being treated unfairly because of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. We aren't asking for "special rights" for the GLBT community. Quite the opposite is true. Rather than giving "special rights" to any one group, this amendment would expand the rights of all citizens.

Mangan has noted that a study documenting local allegations of discrimination, which South Bend Equality had presented to the Common Council, has gone uninvestigated. The proposed amendment would remedy that by allowing the Human Rights Commission to fully investigate any claims of discrimination. The commission has a great deal of experience in not only investigating but also mediating such claims. It has 50 years of valued service to our community. Passing this amendment would provide the type of objective, impartial investigation that Mangan has said should be applied to the alleged cases of discrimination.

Mangan's group has tried to distract people from the central issues of discrimination and fairness by bringing up topics that have nothing to do with the proposed amendment. We will not be distracted. We will continue to work toward equality for all citizens. Mangan's group has tried to characterize the efforts of South Bend Equality as part of a "homosexual agenda." If we were asked to explain our agenda, this is what we would say:

We want South Bend to become a more welcoming place for everyone, a community of respect and acceptance, striving toward its goal of becoming a 21st century city.

Business leaders have already learned that embracing diversity and inclusion has a positive effect on their bottom line. According to the Human Rights Campaign's 2005 Corporate Equality Index, 5.6 million employees now work for the 101 companies receiving a perfect score for equality, indicating employment protection on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, among other indicators. That number is up from 690,000 employees from only 13 companies that received a perfect score in 2002. A total of 113 companies rated by the Corporate Equality Index have "gender identity or expression" protection in their nondiscrimination policies, up more than 90 percent since the 2004 report. Many of these inclusive companies are a part of our own South Bend neighborhoods.

A record 92 percent of the Fortune 500 companies, notably the most successful companies in the world, protect their employees against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. In fact, all five of the Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Indiana have such protection. In addition, our own state employment policy that was put in place by Gov. Frank O'Bannon states that "sexual orientation and gender identity shall not be a consideration in hiring, development, advancement and termination of civilian employees." Equality in the workforce is not only good for business, it has become a steadfast Hoosier value.

Currently, the federal government, the District of Columbia, and at least 26 states, 52 counties and 228 cities already have legislation, executive orders or policies that contain some form of equal protection for GLBT individuals. Included in that number are six Indiana cities. We are committed to helping South Bend become the seventh.

A recently released Indiana University poll found that an overwhelming 79 percent of Indiana residents believe that gay and lesbian Hoosiers should have the same civil rights protections as others. Acceptance of discrimination is quickly becoming a thing of the past all across our nation.

Stereotypes will never be able to accurately describe any group of individuals. Mangan's group has presented a stereotypical image of the GLBT community that is unrealistic and unfair. They have claimed that South Bend Equality is a gay activist group, but South Bend Equality is a large group that personifies diversity. It was born out of a discussion by two married women talking together on an AIDS walk. More citizens are joining us, and saying "We care about equality." We are men and women, young and old, gay and straight, individuals from a variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Some of us are raising families and some are single. We are living proof that diversity enables a group not only to succeed, but to excel.

South Bend Equality is fully committed to helping to make South Bend a welcoming place where everyone is free to live their lives, raise their families and participate fully in our community without fear. We hope that you will stand with us in asking the South Bend Common Council to pass Bill 29-06 to add sexual orientation and gender identity to South Bend's human rights ordinance.

Rhonda Redman and Catherine Pittman are members of South Bend Equality. Group members Mary Porter, Robert Holmer and Astrid Henry also contributed to this viewpoint.