Times Union: Jacksonville council denies human rights ordinance expansion

[Patricia M. McBride]

I will make no comment except that I am glad the months of this bill are over, and now, I hope the council can move on to the city's finances and next years budget.  I recommend you keep track of who voted and how for the next elections however (I am going to).  Perhaps a thank you is in order especially to Mr. Gulliford common sense suggestion of using a public relations campaign rather than trying to use law. 

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By David Bauerlein

August 15, 2012

 

The Jacksonville City Council rejected a bill expanding the city’s human rights ordinance to protect gays and lesbians from discrimination in the workplace, housing and public accommodations.

The cliffhanger 10-9 vote capped three months of deliberation and debate about the extent of discrimination against gays and lesbians in Jacksonville. The question was whether the city should add sexual orientation to the list of protected groups, and how much enforcement power the city should have in cases of discrimination against homosexuals.

The decisive vote came from City Councilman Johnny Gaffney. He previously had supported the bill when it went through committees. But he voted against the bill Wednesday. He did not speak to explain his switch.

 

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-08-15/story/jacksonville-co...