Mayor wants to hear from public on HRO

3 community conversations scheduled to discuss human rights ordinance

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An ordinance that would protect members of the gay and lesbian community from being discriminated against is up for discussion once again in City Hall.

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry has scheduled three "community conversations" to discuss whether new anti-discrimination laws are necessary.

Gay advocates are hoping a documentary will sway City Council members' opinions when it comes to Jacksonville's proposed human rights ordinance.

A copy of the documentary, called "Six Words," was handed to every council member Tuesday by members of the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality.

"I think it's a compelling documentary," coalition member Dan Merkan said.

Merkan said far too often, gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people are discriminated against with no recourse. The city's current ordinance bans discrimination based on race, color, sex, age or disability. Merkan said gays and lesbian are not protected in Jacksonville.

"The problem is we don't have a great mechanism to capture discrimination, because our current mechanism, our human rights ordinance, doesn't include sexual orientation or gender identity expression, so therefore, reports aren't taken on those categories," Merkan said.

A similar human rights ordinance was voted down by City Council members in 2012.

Opponents to the law, like Pastor Jeff Burnsed, said an HRO isn't necessary.

"We don't need it," Burnsed said. "Is that going to result in the same controversy that's going on in Philadelphia, that's going on right now in Chicago this second, where schools are grappling with what to do with the problem of a kid over here, who's biologically a guy, into a bunch of girls taking a shower?"

Curry wants to hear from the public about this issue in three "community conversations." They are scheduled for 6 p.m. on:

  • Nov. 17 at Florida State College at Jacksonville's Downtown Campus
  • Dec. 3 at Edward Waters College
  • Dec.15 at Jacksonville University's Public Policy Institute


The Nov. 17 conversation will focus on supporting the needs and well-being of youth and families. The Dec. 3 conversation will focus on religious freedoms, thoughts and beliefs. The Dec. 15 conversation will focus on understanding the law and its effects on business.

Curry said during his campaign, he was not convinced that Jacksonville needed to expand the law, but he committed to taking the lead in looking deeper into the issue. Councilman Tommy Hazouri agreed.

"Jacksonville needs to say that our doors are open, and we need to make it in a policy statement, not just say it, we need to walk the walk, and right now we haven't done that," Hazouri said.

A change to Jacksonville's anti-discrimination laws would require the approval of the City Council. There are no plans yet for a vote. 


About the Author:

Tarik anchors the 4, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. weekday newscasts and reports with the I-TEAM.