Human rights law passed- Gays, lesbians get protection

Covington city commissioners Tuesday unanimously supported a new human rights ordinance which extends protections to gays and lesbians. "I guess the basic question that needs to be asked is should we allow discrimination in this community?" said Commissioner Jerry Bamberger. "The answer is no."

The new law, which Mayor Butch Callery hopes will be a model for cities across the country, will take effect in about a week.

"Some day, I think the entire nation will one day wake up and realize that guess what: Equal rights is something that should have been done 100 years ago," said Commissioner Alex Edmondson.

The law's implementation will be carefully watched by the Sharonville-based Citizens for Community Values which campaigned hard against it.

CCV said it intends to help find lawyers to represent landlords or businesses which feel their rights are infringed, the group's vice president, David Miller, said after the vote. It also is forming a political action committee, which can be used to fund tri-state candidates who oppose such measures.

Covington's new law bans discrimination based on age, sexual orientation, marital status and parental status. It applies to employment, housing and public accommodations, such as hotels and restaurants.

It expands a city law which prohibited housing discrimination because of disability, gender, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, family status and place of birth.

"I'm just completely elated and pleased and so happy with the leadership of Covington," said Dean Forster of the Northern Kentucky Fairness Alliance. "The people of Covington clearly supported this ordinance, clearly made a stand that discrimination is wrong and all people should be accepted equally."

Frank Warnock, the lawyer Covington hired to refine the ordinance, explained how the law will work:

• Upon receiving a discrimination complaint, the city manager would have discretion to try to resolve the conflict before launching a city investigation into the allegation.

• If reconciliation is not possible, the manager or a designee would investigate.

• After the investigation, the manager could choose to dismiss the complaint or seek an amicable resolution. "I think that's probably one of the most important parts of this ordinance, is the idea that you're trying to educate, you are trying to correct a wrong, and one of the best ways to do that is reconciliation."

• Failing that, a hearing officer appointed by the city manager would reach findings of fact and conclusions of law, which would become an order of the human rights commission.

• Fines could range from $100-$250, and a business which willfully violated the law three or more times could lose its business license.

CCV spent $10,000 this month mailing 20,000 anti-gay booklets to Covington households and sent letters to all Catholic churches in Northern Kentucky because all five city officials who voted are Catholics.

Bamberger said the mailings did not sway him: "I didn't hear too many complaints from residents after they sent out their messages. I believe the city of Covington and the city officials here have a responsibility to deal with our own issues, and deal with our citizens."

After the vote, commissioners sat quietly during almost 30 seconds of a standing ovation.

Bamberger said his goal was that everybody be treated equally. "For the many people who opposed the ordinance -- and I received a lot of input from those people, and I appreciate that input -- I wish that they would take the time now. I wish they would review that ordinance, and look at it, and see if they still have any concerns about it."

"No one would choose to be discriminated against, no one would choose to be hated, no one would choose to be treated differently," Edmondson said. "And someday, I believe the city of Covington will have a small piece in that understanding, of creating tolerance, bridging the gap, and more importantly, allowing people to know that yes, a small city like Covington can show the entire region: Yes, we can."

Why do you write so angrily? Has something or someone hurt you?

I write tersely sometimes and that comes off as angry. I am not. As for someone hurting me? Heck yes. Many times in various ways. Anything from stepping on my toes to cheating on me... but those experiences don't make me angry... only more careful.

You have a valid point about making your "gayness" known in the context of this discussion. For that, I will lower the tone a bit and assume that you keep your private life private in public.

My big problem is not with homosexuals, it is with the activists who try to promote it as normal..even better than normal...noble.

I dislike the term gay. I remember when it meant happy, easy going, joyful... most homosexuals I know or have known were anything but... they were usually neurotic. I think that term was invented by people who know PR and intentionally want to deceive.

As for "monogomous, loving relationships"... sorry, but that is a pile-o-crap. I had a best friend in high school that was very close to me. We were like brothers. We even joined the Navy together and went traveling around many places. We played sports, we got high, we did all sorts of things.. you could say we "love each other like brothers" but you know what?? We never would have even thought about bunging each other. Love has NOTHING to do with sex, hetero or homo. You can live with someone and love them without engaging in perverted sex together and to suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is deceitful.

What really kicks me about the homo-lobby is that they are telling people who are sick "You aren't sick.. you are different... keep it up... in fact, make it public... make people ACCEPT you... make them accept you and sue them if they don't!!!" They want homosexuality to be normalized for a reason. To justify their own existence, and to create a larger class of potential partners. When a 16 year old "gay" boy is glamorized by the school he attends as a great kid.. because people are trying to be tolerant.. and then he makes a pass at a 14 year old... that kid, who has no clue about sexuality, is a potential victim that might not be able to pull himself out of the pit he is being pulled into.

I have met quite a few homosexuals. EVERY single one that I have known since their youth was not homosexual... they were actively recruited during a time of emotional duress by a homosexual that predated upon them. That is what I have seen over and over again.

Seek treatment. It IS possible. You may think that you are just fine and happy with your life, but you are really walking a path that leads to destruction. Don't trust me on this... search inside. Or, if you ever get the urge to read the Bible, there are some words of wisdom provided in Proverbs 4:10 Listen, my son. Accept what I say and the years of your life will be many. I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction. Do not let it go; guard it well for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it. Do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way....

This section is really clear. Whether you believe in God or not, you must acknowledge that wisdom is valuable. Wisdom is developed over the ages. It is the precursor to common sense. AIDS, STDs of all kinds come from sexual immorality. If one simply abstains from sex until they are in a sanctioned marriage, they will be safe from such things. Adultery, whether within or without a marriage, is just as bad as homosexual behavior. In essence, they are the same thing. You may have a "partner" or even a "life partner" but making a promise before men is NOT making a promise before God. God won't sanction a relationship built upon perversion. Thus, you are bound to fail in a homosexual relationship. Odds are way against you and it has nothing to do with bias or bigotry... it has to do with natural order.

I bet next time, you settle for terse. :)

Well, you certainly have much more interest in and to know so much more about all these practices than I.

I don't frequent them and, in fact, avoid them and people who frequent them, but I do realize there are all kinds of ads, sites and other unpleasant materials one can seek out that cater to all kinds of sexual proclivities from hard to imagine foot fetishes to disgusting pictures of little girls...but assuming one stumbled across an example (why else would one know where to find such a thing and why would one dwell long enough to learn what it says or shows?)it won't be proof that there is a universal consumption among its target audience who are members of a larger group.

For example, I don't associate all heterosexual men with porno' magazines or the sex trade in teen girls that caters to a few of them.

Nothing of any value comes from dwelling on extremes of behavior in a discussion of entire group, all that happens is that we throw ugly examples back & forth to top one another.

Let's say we differ on some major points but agree that certain behaviors (of whatever "orientation") are just wrong, including the seduction of the innocent by adults and other forms of selfish, deliberate cruelty.

So, if you and I agree on which behaviors are wrong, then we have a new set of rules that everyone in society should live by?

I don't think so. I think that society makes its moral rules and you and I are bound to live within them. If we disagree with those rules, we must deal with the consequences of our actions.

If homosexuality were to become fully normalized, why would polygamists be prevented from behaving according to their moral values? Incesters?

I think that common-sense... aka wisdom... should prevail. Engaging in un-wise behaviors is stepping onto a path that holds danger. Society should be promoting good behavior and condemning bad behavior. This means condemning adultery, violence, jealosy, the list goes on. Homosexual behavior is just one on the list.

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