Charleston Amends Human Rights Ordinance

The Charleston City Council approved an amendment Monday night to the city’s Human Rights Ordinance to include "sexual orientation" as a classification protected from discrimination. Dozens of citizens showed up to support the measure, which the council passed on a vote of 23-3. The "protected categories" under Fair Housing laws may differ depending on where you reside. In Huntington, the ordinance creating the Huntington Human Relations commission, as with the Federal Fair Housing law, prohibits discrimination in housing based on the following protected categories:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• National Origin
• Handicap / Disability
• Familial Status

However, "sexual orientation" is conspicuous by its absence in the fair housing laws of municipalities statewide, with the now exception of Charleston. Most sensible property owners care more about whether you pay the rent on time and take good care of the property than with whom you share your life. Unfortunately, you may encounter some property owners who are inappropriately nosey or flat-out prejudiced. Federal law does not protect gays, lesbians, or transgender people from discrimination by property owners. Several states and many cities, however, do have laws that prohibit sexual orientation discrimination. Many cities have passed laws that make discrimination based on "sexual orientation" illegal, including Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, New York, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Seattle and, now, Charleston, West Virginia.

California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin have laws prohibiting discrimination against gays or lesbians. California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Mexico, Rhode Island and New York City also protect transgender folks. If you do not live in a state or city that extends protection, there's not much you can do besides, perhaps, attempting to reason with the property owner.

Is it not time we put all forms of bias and discrimination to rest in Huntington? There is enough hate in the world. Diversity and tolerance are in short supply in many places. Showing respect and giving people dignity makes us human. Let us begin now by adding "sexual orientation" as a protected classification to our Huntington Human Human Relations Commission ordinance. As the current chairperson of the Huntington Human Relations Commission, I will be placing this issue on the agenda for the next monthly meeting, which is scheduled for September 13, 2007, beginning at 7 p.m., in the Huntington City Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public; attend and voice your thoughts and opinions. If you wish, voice them on this blog. Just click on “Post Comment” at the end of this posting. You can do it anonymously by clicking the “Anonymous” button.