11/27/1973 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Anderson continued that he was not convinced that adoption of this ordinance would serve to give the community the education necessary to make the legislation. workable. In addition, the recommendation for adoption coming on a 6 to 5 vote of . the Human Rights Commission seemed indecisive. And he felt that enforcement would present a problem. He praised the membership of the Human Rights Commission for its progressiveness, but it was his feeling that this particular issue would lead into new areas of oppression and discrimination which the City was not properly educated or equipped to 'enforce in terms of either funds or personnel. He commented on other areas of discrimination - the handicapped, elderly, mentally retarded, etc. - and said he was disappointed that the discussion at this hearing had centered around the in- dividual problem rather than on how the ordinance would really h~lp the city of Eugene - how it would contribute to the total welfare of all of the people of the City. He saw no particular benefit in the City's standing alone in experimenting with this type of legislation, and he was not convinced that other cities recently adopting similar legislation had enough experience to determine whether they were moving in the right direction. He felt proponents of the amendment should follow the lead of minorities and women in seeking state and federal legislation, then seek implementation thro~gh city legislation. Mrs. Beal moved seconded by Mrs.Campbell to adopt the ordinance as presented (C.B.412). I In making the motion Mrs. Beal said she agreed with much that the Mayor said. However, she did not feel her decision should be based on the thinking of the majority of the . people she represents., She said she heard the same arguments presented against the women's movement. Mayor Anderson wanted it understood that none of his remarks were to be taken as being against the women's liberation movement. Councilman Williams congratulated the Mayor on his statement, saying it was timely and worthwhile. Councilman Wood expressed appreciation to the Gay People's Alliance for the manner in which the issue was brought before the Commission and the Council. It was his feeling that Council members in considering the issue were not as reactionary as prople in the community. His concern was that community norms would not accommodate an extreme change by legiSlation, or that legiSlation would necessarily serve the rights of the people on either side of the issue. He thought it a much broader situa- tion than discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, or national origin, and could not favor the amendment even though he did not support discrimination against homosexuals. Councilman Murray commented on the relative newness of the issue of sexual preference which seemed to go in the face of traditional views and beliefs held by many segments of society. Because of his uncertainty as to the right or wrong of the issue~ he said, he would vote against the amendment. If the vote was to be on whether to submit the issue to the voters, he said he would vote for it. . Vote was taken on the motion as stated. Motion defeated, Councilwomen Beal and Campbell voting aye; Councilmen Williams, Hershner, Keller, Murray, and Wood voting no. Upon motion duly made, seconded, and carried, the meeting was adjourned to Monday, December 17, 1973. ~ . 3bS 11/27/73 - 4