I would like to applaud Rep. John Yarmuth, he and other fair minded folks who have joined Rep. Barney Frank as cosponsors of H.R. 1397, the Employment Non Discrimination Act. This legislation will extend federal protections that are currently provided based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age and disability, to sexual orientation and gender identity. Once again Representative Yarmuth has taken a stand for equality and what is right.
I moved to Louisville in 1998 amid the drive for the passage of a fairness amendment. I remember going to the then city council members lobbying for the ordinance. The excitement, hope and belief that we could make a difference provided me with courage and passion. Eventually the ordinance did pass, but it is not enough. Discrimination still happens in Metro Louisville and people still loose jobs based on their orientation. The Triangle Mirror is going to be doing an expose' on how fair is fairness and does this ordinance have any teeth in 2011.
It has been stated that the LGBTI community is denied over ten thousands rights afforded to the heterosexual community. From protection against violence to marriage to tax breaks. How long will we continue to be silent? How long will we rest in the illusion of a city ordinance that promises protection but is governed within? (more about this in a later blog).
•The Right to Work: In Louisville I know of cases where people have been fired, skipped over for promotions or simply not hired based solely on discrimination. While we are fortunate to have a Fairness Ordinance on the books, it seems to me that sometimes it is simply a nice idea, a decorative piece of paper. I have some major questions about this ordinance that I will be addressing in the coming months. Heterosexual people never have to worry that they will be fired if they disclose their sexual orientation. There is no national law preventing this for LGBTI people. Heterosexual people are also not prohibited from holding any jobs because of their sexual orientation, such as military or many religious posts.
•The Right to Family: In 45 states, the benefits of marriage are afforded only to heterosexual couples. These include health coverage, child custody rights, medical access to a hospitalized spouse and inheritance and pension right in the case of a partner's death. Please spare me that "civil union" option, the courts have repeatedly stated that separate but equal is a farce. It must be full legal right to marry without any caveats. Keep your civil union, my husband and I will continue to live in sin until the state allows us equal rights. In Louisville several churches have stood by the LGBTI community regarding marraige; Douglass Blvd Christian Church, Clifton Unitarian and Unity to name a few.
•The Right to Live: For any of you who may have suffered bullying in school or at work, you know your basic quality of life can be completely flushed down the toilet. Many LGBTI people have experienced hate crimes, often violent and sometimes lethal in nature. Just google hate crimes in Kentucky or Louisville or hell Google Hate Crimes in your neighborhood, it happens. A lack of social support contributes to a high rate of suicides among LGBTI youth. LGBT people are not legally protected from discrimination in most places. An LGBTI person can be denied service in a restaurant or store and have no legal recourse. They may also be denied housing. In many states LGBTI people can even be jailed for engaging in consensual sex in the privacy of their own home.
When I contact Representative Yarmuth about this bill he provided the following statement for the Triangle Mirror readers:
"H.R. 1397 reflects a bedrock American principle that working men and women should be judged solely on the basis of their job performance. Specifically, this bill will prohibit public and private sector employers from making decisions about hiring, firing, promoting, or compensating an employee based on sexual orientation or gender identity. As a cosponsor of this measure, you may be assured that I will urge my colleagues to act on this measure to extend basic protections to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community." Representive John Yarmuth
When I contact Representative Yarmuth about this bill he provided the following statement for the Triangle Mirror readers:
"H.R. 1397 reflects a bedrock American principle that working men and women should be judged solely on the basis of their job performance. Specifically, this bill will prohibit public and private sector employers from making decisions about hiring, firing, promoting, or compensating an employee based on sexual orientation or gender identity. As a cosponsor of this measure, you may be assured that I will urge my colleagues to act on this measure to extend basic protections to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community." Representive John Yarmuth
If you have been bullied at work or school, if you believe you have been discriminated against there are several groups that are here for you. Primarily they are operated by volunteers or a skeletal paid staff, but they will work on your behalf, if they are unable to remedy your situation at the very least they will document your issue and use it for future action and the ongoing fight for equality. I guess what I am saying it don't be ashamed, embarrassed or for god sakes don't let them silence you!!! Speak out. I am including the contact information for the Kentucky Equality Federation and Fairness. I volunteer for the KEF and know many of the folks at Fairness. While different in the manner in which they operate and other nuances both of these groups are here for you, and that is all that matters to me. (period)
The Kentucky Equality Federation 877-KEF-5775
Fairness Campaign 502-893-0788
Finally lets remember that we are our brothers keeper, and we must stay focused on the common goal. The goal is simple, Equality and Fairness.
Please take a minute to call Rep. John Yarmuth at 502-582-5129 and thank him for co sponsoring HR 1397, tell him you read about it at the Triangle Mirror blog. Currently the legislation is in committee and may take a while to hit the floor, let's keep it at the top of his priority list. In fact I just called and spoke with a kind lady at that number. The total time of the call was about one minute.
The way I see it this isn’t a Gay/Straight issue, it is a Right/Wrong issue. Take back your voice and be silent no longer!!!! If you have questions about specifics regarding any information in this blog contact me and I will help you. And as always this blog represents me and only me, it’s my thoughts and feelings. I always welcome your comments.
Continued Bliss
Jeff Johnson
Triangle Mirror
