Who SBE is and Why we're here

South Bend Equality was formed 5 years ago to bring equal protection to all residents of South Bend. The goal of South Bend Equality is to amend our Human Rights Ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity in order to prevent discrimination on this basis and to allow our residents to have recourse if they believe this type of discrimination has occurred.

Currently, it is legal in South Bend for an employer to fire an employee, a landlord to refuse housing and the city to restrict access to public accommodations solely on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. In fact, since our original ordinance includes perception, it is not even necessary for one to actually be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered. Being perceived as such is enough for an individual to be LEGALLY discriminated against. A heterosexual could just as easily be fired because their employer perceives them to be gay and they too would have no recourse under the law.

This policy has caused great harm to individuals and families living and working in our community.

This practice is not only unfair to residents of South Bend but it is also bad for business. In "The Rise of the Creative Class"' Richard Florida reports that areas with acceptance of gays tend to have higher rates of innovation and economic growth. We want our city to be a 21st century community that moves beyond unfair discrimination. We don't want to continue to lose talented and diverse individuals (gay or straight) who would contribute to our community.

South Bend Equality recognizes and respects the needs of the religious community. For this reason, we have supported, from the beginning, an exemption for churches and religious organizations. This is not a religious issue. It is simply a matter of fairness and good business.

The time has come for this outdated practice of discrimination to stop. It is our desire that South Bend reaches it's full potential by becoming a safe and fair community for all of our residents and families.