Comments on: Gainseville, Florida to Legalize Discrimination?

By: Mombian: Sustenance for Lesbian Moms » Blog Archive » Weekly Political Roundup

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:06:37 +0000

[...] city charter amendment has been drafted that would prohibit Gainesville, Florida from providing anti-discrimination protections not included in specific statutes of Florida law. It [...]

By: L. Junius Brutus

L. Junius Brutus — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:11:27 +0000

Mark F., you think that passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was wrong – which prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, religion and sex in the areas of employment and public accommodations?

Funny how ‘freedom of association’ is only an issue when people are defending discrimination and bigotry against one group of people.

By: Mark F.

Mark F. — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:01:58 +0000

I do not believe anyone has the “right” to COMPEL (by government force) someone to associate, employ or do business with them. I say defend absolute freedom of association.

By: werdna

werdna — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:21:05 +0000

Shoot, there's also the various ballot measures promulgated by the Oregon Citizen's Alliance in the late '80s and early '90s to prevent the state granting "special rights" to homos. And how about California's Prop 6 in 1978 (the Briggs Initiative) which would've mandated discrimination in hiring of public school teachers? Wikipedia pegs that as "the first attempt to restrict gay and lesbian rights through a ballot measure."

By: Richard W. Fitch

Richard W. Fitch — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:05:55 +0000

Please explain how a Michigan group is able to propose laws for a Florida city? Following the link to the original article did not prove enlightening.

By: Stefano A

Stefano A — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:59:27 +0000

There was also Cincinnati, Ohio’s ELEVEN YEAR battle for the repeal
of an ordinance passed in 1993 that prohibited the city council from
creating a gay rights ordinance.

It specifically prohibited the city from granting rights to gays, lesbians or bisexuals. The pertinent ordinance is known as Article XII.

It wasn’t repealed until 2004.

By: Jim Burroway

Jim Burroway — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:37:19 +0000

How could I have forgotten that? Thanks.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:08:07 +0000

“But never before have we seen a ballot measure which would actually legalize discrimination”

Um, try Colorado Amendment 2. That removed the ability of Colorado citizens to provide protections to LGBT citizens.

Thankfully found to be unconstitutional by the USSC (Romer v. Evans).