Debate on religion, sexual orientation heats up

Debate reignited after passing of controversial Indiana law

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In Indiana there have been boycotts and rallies on both sides of a controversial new law that has been condemned by critics for supposedly allowing businesses to discriminate against employees based on sexual orientation.

Some residents feel like the same type of discrimination is taking place in Jacksonville and that the issue is very quickly coming to a boil with the city council taking up the issue of sexual preference, and it becoming a campaign issue for the upcoming mayoral race.   

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Earlier this month Chuck Chapman took a stand at the Duval County Courthouse as an openly gay man who said he was uncomfortable serving on a jury at a courthouse where the clerk is uncomfortable performing same-sex weddings because of his religious beliefs.

Clerk of Courts Ronnie Fussel banned all weddings just days before same-sex marriages became legal in Florida.

"A lot of people in government don't think there is discrimination in Jacksonville, Florida, and that is so wrong. The situation in the courthouse that I spoke about earlier. Across the board that is a decision somebody made based on religious views. If you are an elected official and you don't take care of the people that put you there, that is discrimination," Chapman said.

Chapman said that is why laws like the one in Indiana are dangerous and why protection is needed in Jacksonville

Councilman Don Redman has been opposed to many aspects of the Human Rights Commission saying the rights are already in place. He backs the governor of Indiana and the law that was enacted there.

"I think I would have a right as a business owner that if it is against my belief, and I don't feel that way, I don't want you promoting that in my businesses," Redman said.

The two current candidates for mayor have avoided the question of rights based on sexual orientation with neither camp agreeing to an interview on the subject and the Lenny Curry camp saying it's not relevant to Jacksonville

Chapman thinks it's an issue that needs to be addressed. "Oh it absolutely [needs to be addressed] and neither one of them will because they are so obliged to other organizations," Chapman said.

"Everybody has a right to live their personal life the way they to want to live it, without pushing it on somebody else. And I don't think that is the intent of this law in Indiana," Redman said.
 


About the Author:

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.