Protection For Transgendered Put On Hold
By: Kristin Mazur
Updated: February 10, 2010
A plan to prohibit discrimination against transgendered Fort Wayne City Councilwoman Karen Goldner, District 2, planned to introduce an ordinance that would prohibit such discrimination, but with nearly half of council opposed to even discussing it, it hasn't gone very far. Five council member votes are needed to introduce an ordinance. From there it would go on to the discussion round, before a final vote. But before tonight's meeting even began, four council members approached Goldner, and told her that they were against any sort of discussion on the ordinance. Only 8 members were present tonight, so Goldner decided it was hopeless to even try to introduce it. A lot of other discussions went on tonight, but this time from audience members. Half-a-dozen individuals made their way to the podium to voice their opinion on the matter. Most that spoke were in favor of a change to the current ordinance, but with every controversial topic there are two sides. “Gender is perceived in our community to be very black and white and they are obviously many, many that fall into a gray area and until there's some security for those individuals in that gray area there are a lack of employment opportunities for them” says Kris Wise, who favors a change to the current ordinance. “As an employer myself I'm concerned. Suppose, for example, I hire an individual as a female working in the front office and the next day that individual comes in as a man. My customers are going to be exposed to that individual and might not understand the transgender program at all. That might hurt my business” says Richard Duke, who opposes a change to the current ordinance. Both Indianapolis and Bloomington , IN Goldner told FOX Fort Wayne tonight that she hopes to bring Fort Wayne She also hopes the input from the public tonight has helped to get closer to that goal-- “When you hear from people, that it's their experience, I hope that says something to the members who were oppossed to even hearing them make a case” says Goldner. She also adds “the thing that is disappointing is that there are four members of council that don't even want to discuss the issue.” About 10 years ago Fort Wayne City Council passed an ordinance protecting against discrimination because of sexual orientation. Councilwoman Goldner will re-introduce the gender identity protection ordinance to the council in 2 weeks. FOX Fort Wayne will continue to follow this and bring you the latest following that meeting.
