My hometown voted to remove sexual orientation / gender identity in the city's nondiscrimination ordinance yesterday. What might just upset me the most about this turn of events is the fact that this morning, all our local newscasters are indicating that "the LGBT community is no longer protected under the ordinance."
No, no, no. We're ALL no longer protected.
What I have never understood about the discussion is why it has not been
presented as protection for the entire community, gay or straight.
Doesn't adding SO / GI to the ordinance also mean that a homosexual
landlord or employer cannot use sexual orientation as a reason to deny a
heterosexual individual housing or employment? Why do we always place
the LGBT individuals in the subordinate role in the discussion?
As far as I'm concerned, protection for one is always protection for all.
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Every time we makes "exclusions", it impacts everyone. Thanks for bringing an important topic to light.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Darlene. Springfield businesses who were in support of adding SOGI in the ordinance have begun to post stickers in their windows saying they're inclusive businesses, denying services to no one. Warmed my heart...
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