HomeMy WebLinkAboutNon-Discrimination Public Comment from Brian Flikkema 5-1-14 August 281h,2013
Attn: Mayor and Commissioners
City of Bozeman
121 North Rouse Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59715
Dear Mayor and Commissioners,
I was born and raised right here in the Gallatin Valley. I graduated from Bozeman senior and went to
MSU. I am a Christian,and I grew up here in the Methodist church. I've spent my entire life in
Bozeman. And I have to say over my life I've seen this town grow and change a lot. I have read the first
draft of the NDO and thank you for the work you have put into it.
I have heard a lot of talk about this ordinance dealing with a perceived "future"threat. I'm not sure if
it's something just perceived, but I truly believe I take a risk both personally and in my work life just by
being here and speaking out today. Fortunately just over a year ago I now at least work for a company
that has already add sexual orientation to their own nondiscrimination policy. I'm not just representing
myself today, but I also represent my friends and neighbors who are not that fortunate. They do not
feel safe enough, right here in our own community,to be able to speak openly to you or to put their
name on any letter. Now maybe some could say our fear of being fired or treated differently is just a
perceived threat, but to us it's very real. For me all I can point to is to those who are speaking out
against this ordinance to underline just how real this"perceived"threat is. In one sentence they talk
about this only being a perceived threat,and in the next breath they demand the right to fire someone
over their sexual orientation or gender identity. I hope for a day when we are at a point where the
entirety of the ordinance could just be that no person may be discriminated against, period. And I hope
for that day where we are able to say"everyone"without then having to specify exactly the whole list of
people that includes. I don't believe we are at that day just yet and for that reason alone I ask that you
pass a complete and fair NDO.
1 remember in High School when the first gay pride was held in Bozeman. I remember the negative
words thrown around then,and the threats of the Aryan Nations and the KKK showing up. I remember
personally while in college sitting with my friends at an establishment on Main Street and having the
new owner or manager come over. Much to our surprise instead of the normal pleasantries we
expected we were instead informed our'type'wasn't welcomed there anymore. I've had negative
words thrown at me while walking the streets of Bozeman, I have seen my friends hit while out for a
drink downtown and I've seen most of my friends leave the minute they graduated from school looking
for a better,safer place to live. However, I also have hope as I saw hundreds come out in support of
that first pride. 1 have seen the last pride where around a thousand people came out in attendance and
I have seen a rally on the lawn of the public Library. I've seen complete strangers stand up for both
myself and my friends when we have been confronted on the streets of Bozeman. And now I've seen a
City Commission openly discussing a non-discrimination ordinance. I've seen great strides in equality
and social justice in Bozeman. I'm not here asking for any special right, I'm here as a member of this
community to ask for the exact same rights and protections everyone else here takes for granted.
I would also like to represent one other voice that is not here today. In the final debates about this NDO
I ask that you and everyone else think about the kids in our community who are just growing into their
own. I'm speaking about the children who may be in middle school or high school who have not yet
come to terms with or have been able to understand the feelings they have. They only know that they
are different. I'm speaking of those that have not yet reached a point where they feel safe enough to
confide in someone to talk about what they are going through. I was that young man once,and I
personally know of the mental and physical scars that time can leave on a young kids mind and body.
From my own experience I can tell you these kids are sitting in silence,with no one to offer them
support. And l can guarantee they are listening to every word spoken here and they are watching the
actions of everyone involved in this discussion. If for no reason other than their protection I ask that
you pass the non-discrimination ordinance.
Thank you again for your time,
Brian Flikkema
3604 Golden Valley Drive
Bozeman, MT 59718