It’s been a long three years for advocates of a Human Rights Ordinance.
In 2012, frenzied supporters and opponents flocked to City Hall.
City Council members heard stories of discrimination and heartache from supporters. They also heard from opponents that passing such a measure would hurt small business and, in religious terms, was morally wrong.
The issue narrowly failed, leaving advocates longing.
Three years also brings new hope. There’s a new wave of decision-makers. Eleven of 19 council members are fresh faces, many of whom pledged support for the issue during the campaign. And there’s a mayor ready to take charge on the issue.
Round 2 starts Tuesday, with the first of Mayor Lenny Curry’s “community conversations.”
“I think the nation has changed,” said Steve Halverson, Haskell Co. president and CEO and longtime civic leader. “It’s sharply evolved.”
In 2012, he said, the idea of adding anti-discrimination language to protect the LBGT community was seen as a trend. Today, it’s a decisive direction the country is taking. Polls from the University of North Florida over the past two years have shown an increase in support locally, as well.
Halverson hasn’t changed his opinion in the three years since the issue last took to the forefront. From a business perspective, being inclusive and tolerant attracts talent and investment.
“It’s not that Jacksonville is a bad place to work because of a lack of an HRO,” he said. “But it would just be a better place to work.”
Additionally, creating a culture of respect, dignity and fairness reflects highly on any city.
But the most important reason?
“It’s just the right thing to do,” he said. “Don’t allow discrimination.”
It’s the same strong sentiment Rabbi Joshua Lief of Congregation Ahavath Chesed maintains. Lief was one of many who traveled to City Hall three years ago to speak up on the issue. He said he’ll do so again.
“Some will be opposed,” he said. “But there are lots in favor. I hope the mayor has a chance to hear from the citizenry.”
For Lief, it’s not a question of right or wrong when it comes to homosexuality. That’s a way it’s been framed in some religious circles, he said. Like Halverson, Lief said it’s about discrimination.
“Our community, unfortunately, sent the message last time that some people aren’t deserving of protection,” he said. “I think everyone ought to be treated fairly and decently.”
Some still have opposition. Lief said he and the Rev. Mac Brunson, senior pastor of the influential First Baptist Church, are good friends but the two see things differently as to what passage might lead to.
“And that’s OK,” said Lief. “And I support his right to do so … He is well-meaning and well-intentioned in his objections.”
Brunson was traveling and unavailable for comment Thursday.
Some in the religious community have changed their stance. In a forum Tuesday, the Rev. R.L. Gundy of Mount Sinai Baptist Church, said he was in support of the change. In 2012, he was a vocal opponent.
Lief said he’s seen religious leaders make such a philosophical swap to support an HRO — but not the other way around — in the past three years.
The community conversations will feature a panel discussion and question-and-answer session at each.
Details, including names of panelists and moderators, are not yet available, according to Curry administration officials.
Dan Merkan, chair of the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality, said he hopes each of the three provides accurate information from people who understand the issue. More than 200 cities across the U.S. have passed such protections and it’s time Jacksonville did so, he said.
“There really hasn’t been any sort of issue in those cities,” he said.
Houston voters this month defeated similar protections, but Jacksonville supporters say it was a debate hijacked by fearmongering — something they want the Jacksonville conversation to avoid.
Merkan said he hopes after the meetings, Curry has the opportunity to soak in what he hears and make a recommendation to council to pass an all-inclusive anti-discrimination ordinance. That includes protection for the transgender community.
“To leave them out is really unacceptable to us,” said Merkan.
Lief, likewise, wants to see council end up taking action — hopefully with 10 co-sponsors in a show of unity.
Halverson laughed when asked when he’d like to see movement on the issue. Three years ago, he said.
“I’m pleased the mayor is undertaking this,” he said. “Taking it to the people seems like exactly the right thing to do.”
But like others, he wants it accomplished — his hope is in the first quarter of 2016.
Then, the long wait would be over.
@writerchapman
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