Local News

New Diversity Committee for Everyone

(La Porte, IN) - LaPorte will start the New Year actively rolling out the red carpet to individuals of all types.  The five seats on the city’s new Diversity and Inclusion Committee were filled Monday by the city council and mayor.

 

It’s a new era, perhaps, in La Porte where a local official was admonished several months ago for expressing his religious views to members of the LBGTQ community.  “I understand some people are offended by it but the fact is a community that works together is the better community.  We’ll be better for it.  I’m certain of that,” said City Councilman Tim Franke.

 

The committee members are Elissa Affeld, Marvin McCoy, Jessica Aguilar, Selah Brooks and Frank Zolvinski.

 

Franke said their primary mission under a revamped human rights ordinance is promoting La Porte as a welcoming place to all people through various methods like special events.  The committee will also be a resource for the public to turn to for direction on matters like discrimination.

 

As in the past, Franke said complaints must be filed with the Indiana Human Rights Commission since the city doesn’t have the resources to hire a judge to decide allegations of discrimination.

 

Affeld, a social worker, was among the local LGBTQ members spearheading the outreach and protections added to the ordinance.  “I’m excited to advocate for people in our community and make sure their voices are heard,” she said.

 

During the push for more community support, Councilman Roger Galloway told several LGBTQ members during a public meeting on July 6th,  “you know that’s against The Bible.  Anybody ever read The Bible,” he said.  Galloway later apologized after his remarks were met by considerable backlash from Mayor Tom Dermody and other members of the city council.

 

Franke said about 30 people applied to become members of the committee which represents other segments of the community such as law enforcement, religion and business.  He also said the work of the committee is not exclusive to LGBTQ members.  “It’s to promote inclusiveness no matter who you are,” Franke said.  The committee will meet once a month beginning in January.

 

One reason McCoy was chosen is because of his work in the schools as a resource officer for the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office.  He can help guide youth struggling with issues like sexuality, gender identity, feelings of isolation and bullying.  “There’s people who might be suicidal because they feel like they don’t have a place in this world. To me, if this committee can help stop that, that’s fantastic,” Franke said.

 

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