2 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

December 4, 2009 ·

www.GayPeoplesChronicle.com

Summit passes county worker job bias protections

by Eric Resnick

Akron Ohio's fifth most populous county, and for now its only charter county, passed an ordinance November 30 forbidding discrimination by sexual orientation and gender identity in county employment and county vendors.

The 11-member Summit County council passed the ordinance 10 to 1 on a night where the cities of Cleveland and Akron also improved their non-discrimination

measures.

The Summit law applies only to county workers, not private employees in the county. It also applies to employees of companies

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doing business with the county, regardless of where they are located.

Summit County has protected county employees on the basis of sexual orientation since 2001.

That ordinance came about after council member Pete Crossland attended a candidate forum sponsored by Stonewall Akron at the University of Akron.

Crossland, who is still a member of council, was also one of the sponsors of the new

measure.

Joining Crossland as sponsors are County Executive Russ Pry, Council President Nick Kostandaras, and members Tim Crawford,

Akron

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ordinance before January, when Sandra Kurt succeeds Cox in Ward 8.

Kurt, who was part of Stonewall Akron, will be the city's first openly gay official.

Also voting for the ordinance was Bruce Kilby of Ward 2, Renee Greene of Ward 4, Tina Merlitti of Ward 7, Mike Williams and John Conti at large.

Opposed were James Hurley of Ward 1 and Mike Freeman of Ward 9.

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Frank Comundale, Jerry Feeman, Jon Poda, Paula Prentice, Ilene Shapiro, John Schmidt, and Cazzell Smith.

Only council member Gloria Rodgers dissented.

Rodgers is a Republican representing the conservative areas of Hudson, Stow, Silver Lake and part of Cuyahoga Falls. All other members are Democrats.

The new ordinance is brief, and simply adds "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to every section of the county code that deals with equal opportunity and protecting classes from discrimination.

Plusquellic spoke to council in favor of passing the legislation.

The city was also under some pressure from organizers of the Gay Games, as Akron is jointly hosting the 2014 event with Cleveland.

The ordinance covers employment and city contractors.

The debate was contentious and in the end, the version that passed 11-2 was amended twice.

As passed, “gender identity” will not apply to contractors providing services to minors. The words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" also are excluded from the part of the measure that covers contracts with religious organizations.

The contractors serving minors amendment passed 9-4, with Albanese, Cox, Crawford and Jones opposed.

The amendment exempting religious with organizations passed 10-3 Albanese, Cox and Crawford opposed.

Hurley and Freeman, a former pastor, fought for the amendments, then voted against the ordinance anyway.

"We have not had one lawsuit against the city of Akron because of

The ordinance defines sexual orientation as "a person's actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality, by orientation or practice."

Gender identity is defined as "the gender a person associates with him or herself." There is no religious exemption in the ordinance, which, according to press reports, was Rodgers' main objection.

Summit joins Franklin, Lucas, Montgomery, and Hamilton counties in protecting its own employees on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Cuyahoga protects its workers from sexual orientation bias.

this issue, yet we have this legislation before us saying, Let's create a protected class based on sexuality," Freeman said. "If I were a lawyer, I'd be on my knees praying this thing passes because of the lawsuits that could follow."

"The notion itself is simple," Cox countered. "Without protection there will be people who, because of who they are, will be discriminated against. What is the basis for saying on paper you are qualified, but when we see you, we really don't want you here?"

Sommerville praised council for giving thoughtful consideration to the vote and for engaging in healthy debate.

"A lot of Council members have been really honest here," Sommerville said. "I want Council to know I appreciate the honesty and discussion we've had." The Stonewall Democrats of Summit County advocated for the measure's passage.

Its president, Edward "Chip" Clupper, was pleased that it passed, but disappointed that it had been amended and the exclusions put in.

AIDS TASKFORCE

OF GREATER CLEVELAND

To commemorate World AIDS Day 2009, the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland would like to congratulate the 2009 "Voices Against the Silence Award" winners:

The CWRU/UH AIDS Clinical Trials Unit Mr. Jeffrey Mazo

The Ohio Advocates Youth Leadership Council Mr. James Price

Ms. Tami Sanderson

Mr. Alan Taege, MD

Because of you, our community—our world—is a better place. Thank you for speaking out.