March 20th, 2009
Letter to the Editor, Gainesville Sun, March 20, 2009 - (Find this letter and more online at http://www.gainesville.com/section/opinion)
OPPOSE AMENDMENT 1
Since its founding in 1966, the National Organization for Women’s (NOW) goal has been “to take action” to bring about equality for all women. Gainesville Area NOW opposes Charter Amendment 1 because it would allow discrimination against women because of our sexual orientation or gender identity.
In a perfect world, we would not need laws that protect women or anyone else from discrimination. However, the reality is that women are discriminated against for a number of reasons; our sex, our race, our sexual orientation, our disability and our status as mothers, just to name a few. And we are discriminated against in all areas of our life from firings and domestic violence to cat calls and unequal pay.
We want to be judged by our abilities and not preconceived notions or stereotypes about what it means to be a woman, regardless of whether we are transgendered, women of color or women with disabilities. The Gainesville anti-discrimination law is an attempt to make sure that all women are treated equally and provides more protection than the current Florida state law. The Gainesville law currently prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit extension practices because of a person’s race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation or gender identity. There are 8 cities and counties in Florida, 108 cities and counties nationwide, and 13 states and the District of Columbia that have anti-discrimination laws that are similar to Gainesville’s human rights ordinance.
If Charter Amendment 1 passes, employers, housing providers, and businesses will be able to discriminate against women because of our sexual orientation or gender identity. This Women’s History Month, we encourage supporters of women’s rights to vote for all women to be free from discrimination.
Natalie Maxwell,
President
Gainesville Area NOW
March 20, 2009
Re-published with permission. All Rights Reserved - The Gainesville Sun - http://www.gainesville.com/section/opinion
Posted in News, Voices | Comments Off
March 20th, 2009
A Collection of Letters to the Editor - The Gainesville Sun - (Find these letters and more online at http://www.gainesville.com/section/opinion)
“I urge all citizens to vote no on Charter Amendment 1. It has nothing to do with protecting our children. Its sole purpose is to take away civil rights and protection of vulnerable gay citizens.” - Sallie Ann Harrison, Cofounder of Gainesville’s Rape Crisis center, March 9, 2009
“Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people are all groups targeted with discrimination. This is why 13 states (although not Florida), the District of Columbia, and 108 cities and counties across the nation have anti-discrimination laws that include both sexual orientation and gender identity.” - Donna Lee, March 4, 2009
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in News, Voices | No Comments »
March 16th, 2009
Letter to the Editor, Gainesville Sun, March 16, 2009 - (Find this letter and more online at http://www.gainesville.com/section/opinion)
League opposes Amendment 1
The League of Women Voters of Alachua County/Gainesville met with proponents and opponents of Charter Amendment 1. Subsequent internal discussions among League members yielded a clear response: The League of Women Voters of Alachua County / Gainesville opposes Charter Amendment 1. Our reasons are based on League’s principles of equal rights and good government:
First, passage of Charter Amendment 1 would remove anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people in Gainesville. The League believes that no person or group should suffer legal, economic, or administrative discrimination. There should be secure equal rights and opportunity for all.
Secondly, the City of Gainesville Charter should not be amended to address disagreement with a City ordinance. Changes needed in an ordinance should be made directly to that ordinance. City Charter should serve as a guiding document for the community, as state and national constitutions do for those levels of government.
Finally, passage of Charter Amendment 1 would restrict the City of Gainesville from enacting additional future provisions to its own anti-discrimination laws. Should Amendment 1 pass, future changes to Gainesville’s anti-discrimination laws would need to be enacted by the state legislature. The League believes that local governments should have all powers not expressly prohibited by the Constitution or by general law.
Gainesville should retain home rule to determine what is best for its citizens.
Furthermore, the League does not feel that Amendment 1 addresses a public safety issue. The existing ordinance does not legalize criminal behavior or illegal acts. The proposed charter amendment provides no additional protection from illegal acts. This charter amendment, which restricts home rule, adds unnecessary language to our charter and condones discrimination, is bad public policy.
Rosalie Bandyopadhyay,
President
League of Women Voters of Alachua County/Gainesville
More information about the League’s stance on Charter Amendment 1
Also, Click Here to See Who Else is Urging Voters to Vote NO on Charter Amendment 1
Re-published with permission. All Rights Reserved - The Gainesville Sun - http://www.gainesville.com/section/opinion
Posted in News, Voices | Comments Off
March 8th, 2009
By Chris and Bernie Machen - The Gainesville Sun: Letters to the Editor - March 8, 2009
(Find this letter and more online at http://www.gainesville.com/section/opinion)
Having spent a little more than five years in Gainesville, each day we grow more impressed by its warm and tolerant environment for living.
People here have the strong sense not only that they are welcome, but that they are accepted and celebrated whatever their race, beliefs or lifestyle.
We need to treasure and protect this unique atmosphere. That is why we urge our fellow residents to vote no on Charter Amendment 1.
We have followed the debate on this issue with considerable interest and concern. While we agree the current regulation is not perfect, voting it down amounts to a gross overreaction that sends the wrong message about our community.
This does each of us a disservice. It’s also harmful to Gainesville, economically and culturally.
The University of Florida, the community’s largest employer, competes worldwide for the best students and faculty. With universities elsewhere often able to pay higher salaries. One of UF’s advantages is its location. Gainesville’s warmth and openness not only make UF attractive to outsiders, they also prompt faculty and students who could move elsewhere to settle permanently and raise their families here.
Our commissioners can find a way to adjust and improve the current law. Voting it out of existence, however, undermines who we are and what we stand for. To keep Gainesville the welcoming, generous place it is, please vote no on Charter Amendment 1.
Chris and Bernie Machen
Gainesville
March 8, 2009
Re-published with permission. All Rights Reserved - The Gainesville Sun - http://www.gainesville.com/section/opinion
Posted in News, Voices | No Comments »
Join Us On Facebook!
Friend us on MySpace!
Tell A Friend!