Date: Wed, 5 Jul 1995 22:27:36 -0500 (CDT) From: Kevyn Jacobs To: "Kansas Queer News [KQN]" Subject: (LAWRENCE) Chronology of the Lawrence Human Relations Ordinance FROM THE FREEDOM COALITION BULLETIN JUNE 21, 1995 VOLUME 4, NO 2 ====================================== HUMAN RELATIONS ORDINANCE AMENDED We won, but keep your powder dry! On May 8, 1995 it became illegal in Lawrence, Kansas to discriminate against people in employment, housing, and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation. With the publication of the amended Human Relations Ordinance in the Lawrence Journal-World the amendment took effect. It was a tough battle and a close vote by the new City Commission (3 to 2 in favor of the amendment), but, hey--a win is a win! (See the article below for a report on the route to the summit.) According to Ben Zimmerman, co-chair of Simply Equal, the key to the successful outcome was the election of city commissioners who not only favored amending the Human Relations Ordinance but also were concerned with other quality-of-life issues in Lawrence. Simply Equal is the campaign of individuals, organizations, and businesses which organized to change the ordinance. "For the first time," Zimmerman said, "gays, lesbians, and bisexuals were not alone in fighting the good fight, but were able to gain the support of a wide spectrum of citizens in the community." The aim now, said Zimmerman, is to make sure that all segments of the community are made aware of the legislation, to monitor its implementation, and "to see that progressive commissioners are elected next time around." The Freedom Coalition plans to play a central role in these efforts. As for Simply Equal, having achieved its immediate goal, it is going on "hold" for the time being. At the same time the group wishes to caution all of its supporters to remain alert to attempts by the far right to overturn the amended ordinance. Telegraphics, the weekly tabloid which serves as a local mouthpiece for the far right, reported in its June 14 edition that John Watkins, owner of several cable TV companies and chair of the 3rd District Republican Party, is personally going to start a petition drive to repeal the new civil rights amendment. According to the story, Watkins has submitted wording for a petition to Mark Knight, the Douglas County district attorney, for approval. As of last Friday, however, there was no final word from the D.A.'s office. "We're going back and forth on it," Knight said. In case these names are unfamiliar to you, John Watkins was part of the far right cabal which took over the local Republican Party a year or so ago. Mark Knight is a conservative Republican attorney whom the party appointed when the previous D.A. resigned. Although a petition drive by opponents of Simply Equal has not developed, Simply Equal is ready to spring back into action at a moment's notice. Keep alert and stay tuned! =========================== HIGHS AND LOWS IN THE SIMPLY EQUAL CAMPAIGN Here are the key dates and events in The Simply Equal campaign to add the words "sexual orientation" to the city's Human Relations Ordinance. * November 16,1994. After more than two year's work, Simply Equal delivers copies of its report to City Hall with a cover letter requesting a study session and passage of the amendment. * January 18, 1995. Over 100 people attend the study session at City Hall. Simply Equal co-chairs Lynne Green and Ben Zimmerman, together with Dennis Saleebey (chair of the KU task force on lesbian, bisexual, and gay concerns), speak in favor of the amendment. Rev. Leo Barbee opposes it. At the end of the study session, City Commissioner (now former) Doug Compton presents the Commission with a list of 33 questions to which he would like answers before the amendment goes to a vote. * January 24. Noon deadline for filing to run for City Commission. Of the 13 candidates who will run in the primary election, 8 support amending the Human Relations Ordinance to include sexual orientation. At its regular meeting that night, the City Commission directs city staff to respond to Commissioner Compton's questions after April 4, the date of the next general election. * February 15. At Doug -Compton's request, city staff releases preliminary information on his 33 questions so that (according to the Lawrence Journal-World) he can answer questions at his campaign appearance. * February 21. City Commission decides it has enough information on Compton's 33 questions and directs staff to discontinue their efforts. * February 28. Primary election to select 6 candidates to run for three Commission seats in general election. Freedom Coalition supports Lena Johnson (who loses), John Nalbandian (who comes in first), and Allen Levine (who finishes sixth). Compton, still undecided on Simply Equal, comes in fourth after Bonnie Augustine and Jo Barnes, and just ahead of Carl Burkhead, all of whom oppose Simply Equal. * March 2. Compton announces he will oppose the amendment and plans to ask Commission to vote on the issue before general election. * March 7. After talking with City Manager and other commissioners, Compton decides not to call for vote on amendment before April 4. With other concerned citizens, the Freedom Coalition begins to mobilize support for Nalbandian and Levine. * April 4. General election. Nalbandian comes in first. Levine takes third place, just 16 votes behind Augustine, to win a seat on the City Commission. * April 11. The new City Commission decides to set ground rules for public hearing on Simply Equal at next meeting, April 18. With outgoing mayor Jo Andersen who has supported amending all along, 3 of the 5 commissioners now favor Simply Equal's request. * April 25. After public hearings, City Commission approves by expected 3-2 vote the amended Human Relations Ordinance. Victory celebration at The Hideaway. Everybody sings "Happy Birthday" to Ben. * May 2. Second reading of amended ordinance. Again, approved by a 3-2 vote. * May 8. Entire amended Ordinance published in Journal-World. Official policy of the City of Lawrence: discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation is illegal!