Bloomington advances 'gender identity' measure

[hippiechick]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060413/LOCAL/604130530

Associated Press
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The City Council has given preliminary approval to adding protections for transgender people to the city's human rights ordinance.

Bloomington is a diverse community, said Councilman David Sabbaugh, a co-sponsor of the amendment. "I'm very happy to support this thing," he said. Supporters of the change want to see city code treat "gender identity" as a category protected against discrimination, just like race, religion, disability or sex.

Eight people spoke in favor of the amendment at a council meeting Wednesday, while seven spoke against it. Bree Hartlage said other transgender people have been fired, harassed or hide their past in an effort to find a job. "What a sad testimony this is to our society," she said.

William Scott questioned where officials would draw the line, asking if special privileges would be granted to pedophiles. "The question I have is what are your limits," he said. But Bloomington resident Lisa Williams supported the measure. "I don't view this as an issue of morality," she said.

The amendment will go before the council for a final vote next Wednesday.

[Sadie5]

1. It makes me sick to think that

these people are denied a job. If they can do the job then screw the rest. Why do we need a special ordinance to secure a job.

[salin]

2. Co-sponsor Sabbaugh is one of two republicans on the council

interesting... eh? While there is a strand of vocal crazy far right republicans in Monroe County (who were responsible for the 'swift boating' of Hill in the final days of the 9th congressional district race in '04 with a group called "Hoosiers for Truth" (ugh) ) They are in a far minority - even within their own local party.

So while I now spend more of my time in Indy - is there any wonder why I still spend as much time as I can back in my hometown of Bloomington?

Btw, a friend of mine - repub, attends fundie church, bought the whole repub prop against Clinton - and would physically revulse at the mention of Bill or Hillary... just told me that she now realizes that her (and her hubbies) views are reflected in Clinton - that they both think he is one of the best presidents that we have had - and that if they are flipping channels and he is on (such as on CSPAN giving a speech) they stop flipping to watch. This is huge. We almost never talk politics - and she made a point of telling me - including her pointing out for her to come to this point she had to get past her years of reflexive 'convulsive ugh' bias (big deal to her was the "infidelty" ... even before the Lewinsky story). Point is over time due to bushco she has moved.. tremendously, that she felt the need to tell me - inluding being reflective enough to tell me that for her this was huge because she knew she had to overcome years of anti-clinton rhetoric that had, for years, resonated with her.

Just had to share.

[DrGonzoLives]

Bush is a uniter

Uniting people against him. It's beautiful.

There's a prosecutor here whose campaign ad includes saying we need a change in the White House. No one would have dared say that two years ago.

[salin]

4. That is very interesting...

esp given that a local prosecutor has nothing to do with the Wh (local vs fed) - and that this is in reputedly red Indiana. Interesting, indeed.

[DrGonzoLives]

5. Around here, for local elections

the Democratic primary is the election, though this is still new and exciting to hear candidates piss on Bush.

Other than that, he's a scumbag ambulance chaser (trust me, he really is) and if I could vote in the primary, I'd vote for the woman running against him.

[DrGonzoLives]

3. DP

n/t