Summary

A fairness ordinance would protect all residents of Richmond against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations.

Right now, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender person can get fired, denied rental or sale of housing, or turned away from a restaurant based on who they are, with no local, state, or federal protection.

A gay man shouldn't lose his job simply because of his sexual orientation. A lesbian shouldn't lose her home as a result of anti-gay bias. A transgender person shouldn't be turned away from a restaurant due to gender identity or expression.

LGBT people are in every neighborhood, every workplace, every school, and every family. Discrimination hurts all of us, and has no place in Richmond.

Talking Points

• Polls have shown that 74% of Kentucky voters support a statewide law to prohibit this kind of discrimination (Decision Research, 1999).
   
• Nationally, 90% of Americans said in a 2005 Gallup poll that they support "equal opportunities for gays and lesbians in the workplace" (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).
   
• Fairness laws currently exist in 20 states plus the District of Columbia (National Gay and Lesbian Task Force).
   
• In Kentucky, the communities of Covington, Louisville, and Lexington have passed local fairness ordinances.
   
• People of faith support non-discrimination laws, saying "all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation, should be treated equally in the workplace. As people of faith we believe that all employees should be judged by the quality of their work, not their personal characteristics" (The Interfaith Alliance).
   
• Business leaders support non-discrimination laws as a way to encourage a diverse and talented workforce.
  • Over 80% of the Fortune 500 companies, and 49 of the Fortune 50, have passed non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation (Human Rights Campaign).
  • Top Kentucky employer Toyota Motor Manufacturing, for example, has highlighted diversity as one of its top ten business initiatives. At the national level, Toyota Motor Sales, USA has established a Gay and Lesbian (Bisexual Transgender & Friends) Alliance to promote diversity and inclusion.
     
• Fairness laws protect all people. Everyone has a sexual orientation and a way of expressing gender. Since bigotry is often about perception, even people who identify as straight will be protected from anti-gay bias.