by admin
“People’s human rights are always a high priority—don’t get me wrong,” says county Councilor Matt Drozd, who pulled his co-sponsorship of the legislation. But he added, “This is not a high priority now. This will take us more time and take away from the pressing issues this country faces. Roads that aren’t repaired. Bridges that aren’t repaired. People who are losing their homes. Let’s talk about them.” He labeled the move “controversial” and said it required further study.
The Allegheny County Council will soon vote on a non-discriminiation ordinance that will make it illegal to fire someone for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. The quote above is from one of the council members who have pulled out on supporting this cause. Word is that the pressure from conservative religious groups is proving to be too much for these individuals to hold strong to their position on the matter.
Amanda Green(a city Councilor) is the author of this bill. Quote:
“It’s very important for county council members to know that I’m not making this stuff up,” she said, noting that LGBT county residents have been denied housing, fired from employment and given “less than acceptable” public accommodations — all three areas covered by the proposed law.
Her bill, which once had 12 co-sponsors, now has only seven. She said her colleagues who wavered may claim that “no one in their district is complaining to them, no one is talking about it. I wonder why no one is complaining about it” — thanks to the lack of protections, she said.
We believe in equal rights for everyone. The fact that GLBT individuals are still being discriminated against in the work place and elsewhere is absolutely absurd to me. There is no excuse for it. Matt Drozd’s quote(noted above) infuriates me. There should always be time to tend to human rights. As long as inequality exists, this should be a high priority.
Tonight after work I’m going to the Courthouse to speak at a hearing for the ordinance. At first I simply wanted to attend—to add a body to the mass of those supporting the bill. Then two things happened. First, I found out that if you did not sign up to speak, you could not take the floor to say anything. I know myself pretty well, and I know that in the moment I am going to be compelled to stand up and say a few words on the matter. Second, I read this quote:
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
So, I signed up.
How appropriate the timing—MLK day is on Monday. I’ve been thinking about this man a lot during the week..where would he be standing in this moment? What would he advise the younger generation to do at a time when they feel there is an injustice being done? When their rights are being compromised—when their rights are on the line? When my rights are on the line?
And whether you want to believe it or not, it is that dramatic, that immediate, that important. How are we in the year 2009 and people are still being denied basic rights just because of who they happen to fall in love with? Not just for who they love but for who they are? From the City Paper: ”Many governments have anti-discrimination laws that shield certain “protected classes” — like racial minorities or religious groups — from being discriminated against. But many of those laws do not cover discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression — the perception of a person’s gender.” Here is a quote from the rally on Saturday:
“Why are we here in the rain to fight for something that is guaranteed to us in the Constitution of the United States of America?” he continued. “Why are we here trying to get politicians to live up to their oath of office? Why are they afraid of an issue … that reflects pretty much what the city of Pittsburgh enacted decades ago?” – Doug Shields
I’m taking the spirit and fight of MLK with me tonight. I choose to honor his memory by continuing to stand up for what I believe in, and I’m thankful to have his wisdom accompany me:
A right delayed is a right denied.
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”
Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
The time is always right to do what is right.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
(all quotes by Martin Luther King Jr.)