HomeMy WebLinkAboutNon-Discrimination Public Comment from Elizabethe Wilmerding 2-14From:elizabeth.wilmerding@gmail.com
To:Agenda
Subject:City Commission Contact Us
Date:Wednesday, February 26, 2014 1:19:02 PM
AgendaContactUsID: 1
Form inserted: 2/26/2014 1:17:36 PM
Form updated: 2/26/2014 1:17:36 PM
First Name: Elizabeth
Last Name: Wilmerding
Email: elizabeth.wilmerding@gmail.com
Message: Hello, I am writing in support of passing a non-discrimination ordinance inBozeman. I lived in Bozeman from 2008-2012 while attending MSU, and I feel verystrongly that it be a place that protects the rights and freedoms of EVERY individualand family. Bozeman was truly "home" for me while I was there, and I feel like apiece of me will always belong there. Unfortunately, part of the reason I felt the urgeto move after graduation was due to my experience as a gay woman in Bozeman. Iwas hesitant to be my true self there, knowing that there were no protections forme around housing, employment, and public accommodations. My sexual orientationis a small part of my identity, and it is alarming to me that it should prevent theother, larger parts (such as my passion for volunteering, my commitment to othermembers of my community, my desire to learn) from being able to be protectedunder the law. Please, Bozeman City Commissioners, do the right thing. Stand up forequality for all by drafting language that affords the same rights to all people. Thankyou, Elizabeth Wilmerding