HomeMy WebLinkAboutNon-Discrimination Public Comment from Katherine Haque-Hausrath 2-14From:Katherine Haque-Hausrath
To:Cyndy Andrus; Chris Mehl; Carson Taylor; I-Ho Pomeroy; Jeff Krauss
Cc:Agenda
Subject:Non-discrimination ordinance, support and perspective
Date:Wednesday, February 26, 2014 8:44:57 PM
Dear Mayor and Commissioners,
As Bozeman decides whether to begin the process of working on an ordinance that protects againstdiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, I would like to share myexperience as the main proponent of the Helena non-discrimination ordinance, which was enacted in2012. I recognize that you may perceive my email as another city official meddling in Bozeman'sbusiness, but this is not my intent. I believe that I have an important perspective to share, because Ithink Helena's situation shares some similarities with Bozeman.
I have been disheartened, yet not surprised, at the tenor of the opposition in Bozeman. During theyear-long process of passing Helena's non-discrimination ordinance, we also received vitriolicopposition. We also received letters and testimony referring to LGBT people as perverts, sexualpredators, deviants, and pedophiles. I received personal attacks as well, including name-calling andaccusations of wasting city time and resources.
However, amongst residents within the city limits (and I suspect Bozeman will be similar), the supportfar outweighed the opposition. In addition to all of the testimony, petitions, and letters of support, Icannot count the number of LGBT people who came up to me during and after passage, and thankedand hugged me, often crying. During the process, we heard many stories of discrimination, includingone woman who lived in fear for years of being outed at work, because of a stand she took against anunethical action. One email I received after the ordinance passed still resonates with me: "As a middle-aged gay man making peace with my experiences growing up as an outsider in a small town, I am sograteful for what this ordinance means as an expression of acceptance for my basic humanity. To me,just the simple fact that this ordinance and all its related issues were discussed openly in a public forumwas such a real joy to me. That it formalized a measure of acceptance and and acknowlegdement ofdue respect was just so fantastic. It made me feel welcome in this community."
And ultimately, that is what you are doing by passing a non-discrimination ordinance. In addition toproviding legal recourse so that everyone has a safe place to live, work, and play, you are recognizingthe human dignity of being LGBT. The city is saying, being LGBT is a beautiful and valid part of thehuman condition. You are welcome and accepted. This statement, in addition to the legal protections,can make LGBT people, especially LGBT teens (who often are isolated and bullied) feel less alone, andless likely to engage in self-harm.
So I urge you to stay strong, and not be swayed by those who advocate discrimination and exclusion. It is hard to receive correspondence with venomous language, and hard to face a roomful of people,many of whom vehemently disagree with you. In the face of such attacks, it can be tempting to avoidthe topic, or perhaps put off such an ordinance as "not really necessary," because the LGBT communityhas not proven that discrimination occurs. (Note that the language used by the opposition actuallydemonstrates the discriminatory attitudes that are present in the community, and the necessity for suchan ordinance.) Finally, part of the role of government is to protect the vulnerable among us, andpassage of an ordinance that protects against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation andgender identity, does just that. I hope you will consider joining Helena (and Missoula and Butte) inproviding such protections.
Take care,
Katherine Haque-HausrathHelena City Commissioner