(La Porte, IN) - Protections against discrimination because of gender identity are strengthened in a revamped Human Rights ordinance proposed in La Porte.  City employees would also be required to take part in diversity training.

           

The measure comes after City Councilman Roger Galloway told a member of the LGBTQ community during a public meeting on July 6 “you know that’s against The Bible.”  “Anybody ever read The Bible,” he said.  Galloway after considerable backlash from Mayor Tom Dermody and other members of the city council later apologized for his remarks.

 

Councilman Tim Franke said the proposed changes to the ordinance were not in response to Galloway’s comments.  He said there was talk of adding teeth after meeting with the LGBTQ community to address their concerns about loopholes in the ordinance earlier this year.  “It was something that prior to that meeting was on the radar and being looked at,” Franke said.

 

The revamped ordinance first presented to the city council on Tuesday is scheduled for a vote on September 21.  Franke said gender identity is mentioned as protected against discrimination in the existing ordinance but it’s more clearly defined by new language offered for the measure.

 

Requiring city employees to undergo diversity training every two-years and once hired would be added.  Franke said a five member committee would also be created to promote "inclusiveness and diversity within the city.”  Three of the members would be appointed by the mayor.  The rest would be named by the city council.

 

As in the past, Franke said any complaint would have to be taken to a judge outside the jurisdiction of the city or the Indiana Human Rights Commission to be decided.  “The city of LaPorte just doesn’t have the resources to do that,” he said.