HomeMy WebLinkAboutNon-Discrimination Public Comment from Debbie Schenk 4-21-14From:Debbie Schenk
To:Agenda
Subject:Bozeman Non Discrimination Ordinance
Date:Sunday, April 20, 2014 3:49:03 PM
Dear City Commissioners,
Thank you for your time and efforts on this important matter. I write to you today as a
taxpayer, a property owner and a person who thinks Bozeman is a wonderful
community. I also write to you as a Mom, who is concerned for my son and many
other young adults, teens and children in this great place. Yes, I know you have
heard this opening before but I am the Mom, coming from "the other side". You see, I
am the Mom of the son who is gay. The son who can be denied a job, be kicked out
of an apartment, denied housing or be denied service, in a public place, simply
because of who he loves. It breaks my heart.
I have listened to people talk and write and comment about them "the LGBT
community" and I am baffled and saddened by where these perceptions come from.
Diseases, pedophilia, beastiality, fear for safety of loved ones? My son is none of
these, nor are any of my LGBT friends. My son goes to college and works a job and
likes to run half marathons and loves his cat. He is smart and funny and kind. He
pays taxes and volunteers for community work and has dreams for his future. My
friends in the LGBT community, in Bozeman, are lawyers, bankers, engineers,
doctors, tech managers, business owners and college students working on their
master degrees. They own homes, pay taxes, volunteer and give back to their town.
They grow gardens, and walk their dogs and raise wonderful kids. They are just like
you and I in so many respects.
To see what has been said about "them" and to think that, at any time, my son could
read these comments and letters, is an ache in my heart that is beyond words. But
we are a strong family, with strong values and a belief that what is right will win, in the
end. An NDO in Bozeman, takes nothing away from any one. It simply provides
some basic protections, that many of us take for granted every single day. I think that
the opponents of this ordinance have provided the proof that discrimination, against
this population, is alive and well. They have made that point very clear. I believe that
NDO's are passed to make a city a better place for all people. We put these
protections in place not because we hope that people will violate them, but in case
they do. If they are never used, then that will speak volumes about Bozeman. Equal
protections are not special protections.
I ask that you support an NDO in Bozeman, MT. It is good for business. Diversity
attracts dynamic, young businesses to invest their money and time and energy into a
place that celebrates differences as well as commonalities. It provides a level playing
field and it is simply saying "YES" to equal opportunities for all people. To do what is
right, is not always easy, but it is always right. Thank you.
Debbie Schenk
301 Donegal Dr.
Bozeman, MT