HomeMy WebLinkAboutNon-Discrimination Public Comment from Cody Powell 5-1-14 Hello, r�/ry`�
My name is Cody Howell, I'm a junior in the criminology department at Montana
State University,An ASMSU Senator, Fraternity member of Sigma Phi Epsilon,and a
proud Montanan.
I will avoid bringing religion into this, because unlike quite a few of the people in
here today, I believe we know this is not a religious argument.This is not about a
moral belief system that not everyone may subscribe to. It is, however,a matter of
civil rights.A quick brush op for those who've forgotten: civil rights are a class of
rights protected by the government from discrimination on arbitrary grounds like
race,gender, class, or disability.
I need this ordinance because I'm a citizen of Bozeman who works in the community
and I don't deserve to have my job threatened. I put in my hours at my job like many
of you and I pay taxes and deserve my paycheck and right to work.
I need this ordinance because I'm a renter who doesn't deserve to be denied housing
based on arbitrary measures. I've worked in the community in the service industry
and let me tell you, I have served a lot of jerks in my life,but I did it with a smile and
I earned my paycheck,because that's hard work. Because that's what a Montanan
does. When someone comes in and ruins your day,we grin and bear it. That's what's
called doing your job, and earning your way.We deserve this right.As a Montanan,
as an American, I punch my timecard and go to work. I deserve to not be
discriminated against. I want my right to go and buy a beer after work and not be
asked to leave for something as irrelevant as my orientation. Fair is fair.
Put aside everything else, and focus on the facts. Hard working Bozeman residents
do not deserve to worry about being fired from a job or being denied an apartment
because someone's beliefs don't match up. It's not about that. It's about protecting
the rights of the citizens of this city which we all care deeply about. Please don't
think this is anything more than a plea for the same rights and responsibilities that
we are all assumed to have in our pursuit of life,liberty,and happiness. I deserve the
same dignity and respect I give to you when I serve you at my job.
I will continue to punch my time card, go to work, and return to my apartment that I
rent in Bozeman. But, it's your responsibility to ensure that as I resident, I can
continue to have my right to work, continue to give back to this town, and continues
to have my rights protected. Please do not overlook me. Do not overlook us. Please
support this so that the Bozeman residents will not live in constant worry their right
to work and live will be threatened. Because, I'm not asking for you to love me, I
don't even want you to like me, because I genuinely dislike half the people I serve,
but you will respect me.As a human who works, pays taxes,and lives,you will
respect that.
Thank you.